Dave Challinor backs former Sunderland winger Luke Molyneux to deliver for Hartlepool United following 'unbelievably efficient' return

The Pools winger returned to the starting line-up with a goal and an assist inside the opening 20-minutes at Victoria Park last weekend in a performance Challinor described as ‘unbelievably efficient’.

“If you're asking me in terms of Luke's performance at the weekend, was it right up there? No, it probably wasn't for me,” admitted the Hartlepool manager.

“But, if you're going to be unbelievably efficient in terms of scoring one and setting one up then I will take that all day.

“And it doesn't really matter if he or anyone else is great or not. Regardless of what position you play in, if you have the worst game ever and score two and we win the game then brilliant.

“So it’s about being efficient and if Luke can be efficient whilst still getting himself back up to speed and in terms of seeing his potential – I've obviously seen bits of it, not massive amounts but that will do everybody the world of good – him more-so than anyone else.”

Molyneux was arguably Pools’ marquee summer signing as he made his loan move from Sunderland permanent.

But a serious injury picked up in pre-season delayed the 21-year-old’s first start until last weekend.

But he’s likely to keep his place in the starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to Solihull Moors.

“He could be an important one, ultimately, we've not had him since the start of the season,” Challinor added.

“I said right from the start when I first came in – what we didn't have really was individual match winners and he is one of them in terms of the ability to beat somebody, pick a pass or shoot from distance.

“He adds to the ones we have got in the squad. Especially when games are tight towards the back end of the season and one moment can decide a game, you want as many of those as possible and he is a big one of those in our squad.”