By Albatross
February 3 2004

Hartlepool United forward Jermaine Easter has gone on a week's trial away from the club, and is hoping to earn a loan move to third division Cambridge United. The Welsh forward is surplus to requirements at the Vic, and a move would probably be best for all concerned. The official Cambridge United site has reported that Easter is apparently joining them on trial with a view to a possible loan move - although as yet there's been nothing from the Pools site.

His recent spell on loan at Spennymoor wasn't too encouraging - he failed to score in the Unibond Premier, although he did have a man of the match performance in one game, and hit a hat-trick against Billingham Synthonia in the Durham Challenge Cup.

The question is, will Easter impress enough to persuade Cambridge that he's worth a flutter. His trial is for a week, and he is likely to take some part in their reserve game at Colchester on Wednesday. Goals haven't been in plentiful supply at the Abbey this season - 34 in 28 games, and the scorer of ten of those - Dave Kitson - has left to join Reading. Extra firepower is needed, although Poolies will no doubt be dubious on his ability to deliver for the third division side.

With Easter on contract until the end of next season but unlikely to feature in the Pools first team, it's a fair bet that a transfer fee up front wouldn't be required - although Pools may ask for a sell-on clause and/or a nominal fee. However first of all Easter needs to do the business on the pitch - and given his erratic performances in first team games that's a long way from being a foregone conclusion. He may have pace and score plenty for the reserves, but he simply seems unable to handle the pressures of first team football.

He may of course prove to be a success, and if he does earn a move it may be that he'll come back to the Vic and stuff these words back down my throat - but it's clear he's going nowhere at Pools, and a move away could only be to the benefit of both parties. Will it happen? Here's hoping....