By Albatross
November 25 2003

Australian Striker Joel Porter has signed a short-term deal at Hartlepool United, and Cooper has used his connections to bring Manchester United youngster Danny Byrne to Hartlepool United on a month's loan. Porter has of course been training with the team for some time, and has obviously impressed the management. The 24 year old Aussie striker is a full international, playing in last year's Oceania Nations Cup when the Socceroos fielded a side of more locally-based players when money considerations prevented them picking their European Stars. Porter responded well though, scoring four goals in an 8-0 rout of Fiji. Australia were beaten in the final by New Zealand, but Porter ended up as the top scorer in the tournament with six goals. He's starred for the Melbourne Knights in the NSL, and had been on trial at Sunderland who passed him on to Pools.

Byrne meanwhile will turn 19 during his spell at Pools and is a contemporary of the likes of Darren Fletcher and Kieron Richardson. His progress was set back though about 18 months ago when he needed surgery to a cruciate ligament injury and he's been playing mostly in the u19 side at Old Trafford. He has also obtained international honours though, representing the Republic of Ireland at u19 level. He has impressed at times, but has yet to get anywhere near the first team and has made only fleeting appearances in the reserves.

While Porter adds to our already healthy number of options up front, it's Byrne that is possibly the more interesting signing. There's no doubt that the Pools midfield has been struggling of late, particularly wide on the right, and it's that gap that we're hoping Byrne can fill. Information is a bit sketchy at the moment, but both players will be available to play on Saturday against Swindon. On the message from the offical SMS service, Byrne is described as a wide man, so it may be that he is just what the doctor ordered to improve our options.

The club have also extended the month-to-month contract of Greek goalkeeper Dimitrius Konstantopoulos; with Anthony Williams away on loan, he's needed as cover for Jim Provett. Should an offer come in for Taff, "Dimmy" may yet be offered a permanent deal.