Sunderland striker Mikael Mandron out to show what he’s worth at Hartlepool United

Less than 48 hours after helping Sunderland U21 through to the knock-out stages of the Premier League International Cup, he has sealed a loan move to Pools.

The tall French striker has been handed the number 32 jesey and after training yesteday and today wit the Pools squad he will be in contention for a place against Leyton Orient tomorrow.

Mandron arrives at the Vic in fine form, having played the full 90 minutes in Sunderland’s 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.

It convinced Moore – if he needed convincing – that the 21-year-old was worth a shot in League Two.

With skipper Billy Paynter troubled with an Achilles problem, Mandron, at 6ft 3in, fits the bill as a main striker.

And he is looking forward to the chance of playing in League football after Moore secured his services until January 3.

“I am really excited to come here and get some games under my belt,” he said.

“I want to show the manager and the whole club what I can do.

“This move is important for me to get some games and more experience so it’s something I am looking forward to.”

Mandron has played three times for the Sunderland senior side, including during Paolo Di Canio’s reign.

He has been out on loan at Shrewsbury and Fleetwood during the last two years.

The France youth international played 11 times for the Cod Army, scoring once in 11 matches, while he made three appearances for trhe Shrews, where he did not get on the scoresheet.

While Mandron has not caught fire, thus far, in the Football League, Moore will be encouraged by the fact he is the equal top scorer for Sunderland U21 this season with five.

He posed no great threat in midweek to the Athletic Bilbao goal but he worked hard against the Basque side, made some clever runs and his hold up play was good.

“I have been on loan at other clubs in the past so I know what to expect and I know what will be expected of me so it’s just really exciting to come here and get this chance,” he said.

“It’s a move which makes sense all round really with Hartlepool being only down the road from Sunderland so I want to come here and make my name known.”

Mandron, who is excited by the prospect of an appearance on Sky Sports tomorrow.

“It’s a great opportunity to show everybody what I can do and put myself out there,” he said in an interview with the Pool website.

“And being on television will be a great experience too.”

Moore has a selection poser over both players for the match against high-riding Orient.

Mandron has only had two training sessions with his new team-mates and Naismith just one. The Scot may still be learning the names of his colleagues.

The frontline of Scott Fenwick and Rakish Bingham are probably worth an outing tomorrow given they hit it off last season when Bingham was on loan from Mansfield.

Moore though, as he proved at Dagenham last month, is not afraid to make changes, but how far he goes, we must wait until around 11.30am tomorrow.

Pools (possible): Carson, Duckworth Jackson, Bates, Carroll, Oates, Gray, Featherstone, Oyenuga, Fenwick, Bingham.

Subs (from): Bartlett, Jones, Harrison, Woods, Walker, Mandron, Naismith, Banton, Bingham, Smith