Tranmere Rovers' Hartlepool United loan striker Scott Fenwick told to score some goals

Last season’s leading Hartlepool United marksman has found himself out of the picture at Victoria Park and joined Tranmere Rovers on loan last month until the end of the season.

Given Pools skipper Billy Paynter is a major doubt for today’s League Two visit to Morecambe and Tuesday’s trip to Notts County, Fenwick could have been in the frame to start against the Shrimps on his 26th birthday.

Indeed, given Paynter has a hamstring injury, Fenwick could have been a contender to play the last seven games.

“It’s all about decisions in football,” said Hignett. “A few weeks back, Scotty expressed a desire to go on loan and it was Mansfield at the time.

“His agent phoned Russ and asked for a chance and if players want to go I won’t stand in their way – he can go with my blessing.

“I said ‘go out, play and score goals and see where that leaves us’.

“The move didn’t happen (to Mansfield) and he found himself out of the squad here and couldn’t get back in.

“Gary Brabin, from Tranmere, phoned to ask me if he could take him.

“I asked Scotty and he wanted to go and play games and he said yes.

“If he does well and scores goals, then the door is not shut on him.

“Ironically, with Billy being injured and doubtful, if he’d stuck it out he could have been playing [at Morecambe] and had seven games left to show me what he can do.

“But you make decisions as players and sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t.”

Fenwick has made 30 appearances for Pools this season in all competitions and is the equal second top scorer with six, the total he ended 2014-15 with.

It is a fair ratio for the 26-year-old, who has made 17 starts, a number of them being away from the central striking role.

To the Geordie’s credit, a number of goals have been key ones, the winners against Newport and Wyycombe springing to mind.

He also belted in the header in the FA Cup replay win over Salford when the tie looked to be going the way of the minnows.

Fenwick has gone to Prenton Park at a good time and has so far made three second-half sub appearances with no goals.

Tranmere are chasing for promotion from the National League following their relegation last season following Pools’ great escape.

Rovers are currently standing in fifth place in the table.

“He’s gone to a good team who are pushing for the play-offs,” added Hignett.

“Scotty has a chance of playing at Wembley, which would be great for him.

“All I’ve said to him is go and score some goals and we will have a look at where we are come the end of the season.’’