ADAM Boyd yesterday gave Hartlepool United an early Christmas present when he signed a new two-year deal to stay at Victoria Park.

Out of contract next summer, the home-grown striker has been regularly linked with a move away from Pool next year.

But, after regaining his top form in the last two weeks after a spell off the boil following injury, Boyd is staying in League One with Pool.

Former Pool bosses Chris Turner and Mike Newell were unable to get the best out of the 21-year-old.

But since returning to Pool in March after a loan spell at Boston, he has never played better, enjoying his most consistent run in the side.

He netted 12 in ten games last season to propel Pool into the play-offs.

This season he has scored 11 times in League and Cup and Boyd's overall career stats are 127 games and 42 goals.

But starting games are the key to getting the best out of the mercurial talent, and in 54 starts for his hometown club since making his debut in 1999, he has 34 goals.

Pool chairman Ken Hodcroft this week announced a loss of almost £850,000 and Increased Oil Recovery, the company that owns the club, had wrote off around £3m in loans.

Hodcroft feels securing Boyd's signature is another example of their support.

"Hopefully this will highlight IOR's ongoing commitment to Neale Cooper and the wonderful job he is doing for Hartlepool United," said Hodcroft.

"Adam is a major player for us and we have pulled out all the stops to make sure he remains on our books now and in the future."

Cooper believes Boyd is the most naturally gifted player he has come across and he is now getting back to his best.

Boyd's form dipped after he suffered a groin strain, but has scored four goals in his last four games.

"I don't think I've suffered a dip in form this season,'' he said. "The goals drying up was down to the injury.

"It's difficult to score goals when you are not at your sharpest. I came back a bit soon and tried too hard to impress, and suffered because of that.

"When you go through a dry patch it is frustrating, and you get hungry for goals again.''

Sunderland and Cardiff were both interested in Boyd earlier this season, with Black Cats' boss Mick McCarthy watching him in action against Colchester on August 30.

The former Manor School of Technology pupil wants to get into the championship, but wearing a blue and white shirt.

"The club have always been quick to offer me a new deal when they think I have deserved it and I am glad to get it all sorted out,'' he said.

"I think the club needs to be aiming towards at least the play-offs this season and hopefully I can get the goals to help us get there."

To cement a top-six berth, Pool have to sort out their miserable away form.

Just three points away from Victoria Park - a win at Huddersfield on August 16 - have been collected with nine defeats holding back Pool's play-off push.

Hugh Robertson will today play his first away game since August. He's been sidelined with a foot injury, but is hoping his return can prove a lucky omen.

"It has been hard to understand what's happened to our away form but it has not end at some time,'' said the Scot.

"All we need is our first win and then hopefully our confidence will start coming back and we will go on to enjoy the kind of away form we had last year.

"We are capable of doing it away from home and so there is no reason why we should not be performing away from home.

"Our home form has been brilliant, last season our away form was."

He added: "The two young lads who have played left back have done really well, so I was a bit surprised to get back in straight away.

"I played for the reserves and then for the first team a few days later, so I felt a bit tired last week, but fitness will come with more games.

"Last week I was disappointed with their goal, I slipped when I could have give it away quicker. But we scored straight away to equalise.

"I helped set up two goals, so I was pleased overall.''

l Stockport County have appointed former Pool boss Chris Turner as their new manager.

The Hatters are bottom of Coca-Cola League One, 11 points from safety and have turned to Turner, who was sacked by Wednesday in September after a poor start to their season in the same division.

The 46-year-old former Sunderland goalkeeper, who watched County lose 3-1 at Pool last week, said: ''I am very proud to have been offered the chance. I join the club at a difficult time, and we need to start winning games - and to start winning them fast.

''But survival is the challenge I have accepted, and it is one that I genuinely believe to be possible."

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