Hartlepool United manager admits Pools eager to extend Hull City youngster's loan
Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone admits he's hoping to extend Hull City starlet Calvin Okike's loan until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a dream debut during Wednesday night's dominant win over promotion-chasing Carlisle United, coming off the bench to score with his first touch in professional football a mere 15 seconds after his introduction. Having had to bide his time before making his debut - the teenager missed out on the trip to rivals York City after the club failed to rush his paperwork through in time, scheduled games against Wealdstone and Sutton United both fell foul of the recent wet weather while the youngster didn't feature during Saturday's remarkable win over Solihull Moors - Okike needed less than a minute to announce himself to Pools fans in spectacular fashion.
With his family and friends watching on from the stands, Okike was introduced 13 minutes from time and was wheeling away in celebration 15 seconds after first setting foot on the pitch having scored his side's third goal. It was a truly magical moment made all the more remarkable by the fact that the versatile teenager, who is on a scholarship contract at Championship side Hull City, scored with his first touch in professional football.
Speaking after the game, Okike admitted he was "over the moon" to mark his first season appearance with a well-taken goal. Having replaced the outstanding Tyrese Sinclair, Okike burst forward and was in the right place at the right time to turn home the rebound after fellow substitute Sam Folarin's initial effort had been saved by Gabriel Breeze. Although the youngster said afterwards that he initially feared he'd shanked his effort, it could hardly have been better placed as Pools moved to within a point of the National League play-off places.
Big things are expected of Okike at parent-club Hull, with Okike impressing in both the under-18 and under-21s sides. Blessed with plenty of pace, power and athleticism, Okike has spent much of his time in East Yorkshire operating as either a left-back or centre-half but showed what he can do in a more advanced role in midweek.
Featherstone, who was born just outside Hull and made his professional debut for the Tigers, has been keen to make the most of his contacts at the MKM Stadium having brought winger Pharrell Brown to the club earlier in the season. Featherstone maintains close links with assistant Dean Holden, whom he played with at Walsall, as well as loans manager Andy Dawson having shared a room when the pair were together at Hull; indeed, the Pools boss admitted he hadn't seen much of Okike prior to his arrival but gave the deal the green light after receiving rave reviews from both Holden and Dawson.
Pools will now be hoping to extend Okike's stay in the North East beyond the initial month for which he was signed. Featherstone said last week that a one-month deal made sense for both parties at the time, allowing Pools to get the measure of Okike, who stood to benefit from the experience of stepping into a senior squad for the first time almost no matter what happened on the pitch.
Now, though, Pools have seen exactly what Okike can do and Featherstone admitted he's eager to tie the energetic youngster down to a deal until the end of the season as his side bid to sneak into the top seven.
"I'd love to do it until the end of the season now," Featherstone said.
"We went in a little bit blind on the initial deal but we did it based on the recommendations of two people I really trust and respect.
"We've seen a lot to like from Calvin, he comes with really good pedigree. They speak really highly of him at Hull and they're fully expecting him to have a career much, much higher than this level.
"For me, it would be lovely to get Calvin in the door until the end of the season now."