Loan Updates: Clarke back, Strachan soon?

Destination Vic?
By Albatross
October 25 2005

Hartlepool United's Darrell Clarke is back after playing for about a minute at Port Vale in his loan spell. Gavin Strachan is getting more time on the pitch at Stockport - but with Tinkler's suspension confirmed, could he be recalled to the Vic?

Darrell's spell at Port Vale seems to have been something of a waste of time as far as most parties are concerned; his only appearance in the first team came when he was a last-minute substitute on 1st October. When he first went there some Vale fans expressed the opinion that it was likely to be this way - it seems Martin Foyle has fulfilled their expectations and far from gaining some much-needed first team action Clarke returns more likely to be suffering from splinters than shaking off the rust.
Foyle seems happy enough, but it seems that he only really wanted Trigger there as cover. From our point of view it's been an utterly pointless exercise. He'd have been better off playing for our reserves, or heading out to a lower division club where he was more likely to get some action. It would of course be a nice slice of Irony if he is included in the squad for the game at Vale Park on Saturday and plays some part in a Pools Win..... for the moment though he'll have to be content for turning out for the ressies tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile Gavin Strachan is at least getting games in his loan spell out at Stockport. He's started three games so far, one of which was their home win on Saturday - the first time they've collected three points on their own turf since they beat us back in February. Former Poolie Jermaine Easter is continuing to impress there as well, although injury problems have restricted his appearances.

Meanwhile, Pools appeal against Mark Tinkler's dismissal on Saturday has been turned down by the FA. He now has to serve a three game ban - could Strachan be recalled to fill in for Tinks?