Easter goes on loan at Cambridge

By Albatross
February 6 2004

Hartlepool United have announced that Jermaine Easter has joined Cambridge United on a month's loan following his trial period with the club.

Easter must have impressed in training - he didn't actually play for their reserves as he would have to have had clearance from Pools to do so. He will be at the Abbey for the next few weeks, hoping to gain a permanent contract.

Pools fans will know though that with Easter, making an impression in training - or even for the reserves - isn't the problem. His record in front of goal when it matters is abysmal, and his most effective games for the first team came last season when Newell experimented with the pacy forward on the right wing. However good his performance against Rushden in that position was, he still had a lot to do to convince the majority of the fans that he was worth the two year deal that he was offered.

Cambridge though are getting desperate for firepower, and in some ways it may not work out badly for Easter. If he can hit the target once or twice, it may build his confidence up.

Something tells me though that if Cambridge do come in with an offer to take him permanently that Cooper wouldn't stand in the way of the move. The squad is now very definately his, as opposed to one inherited by him, and he seems keen to keep the reshaping going. Easter's face doesn't seem to fit, and if he has the opportunity to continue a professional career elsewhere then I can't see Pools wanting to stop him.