NEALE Cooper last night sang the praises of new recruit Ben Clark.

Clark has enjoyed an impressive introduction to his Hartlepool United career - Pool winning the three games he has started since his switch from Sunderland.

Saturday's win over Doncaster Rovers put Pool into eighth place in League One and Clark has formed a healthy partnership in defence with Chris Westwood.

With regular Micky Nelson on the transfer list and on the bench, Clark and Westwood look settled in the heart of the back four.

Cooper said: "Ben Clark on the park is a different class, he oozes class. He reads the situations well, brings the ball forward comfortably and passes it out of defence when he has it.

"He is one of the best things I have seen at this club since I came here - he really is that good.

"Ben is a great footballer. He is total quality, immense and a massive signing for this club.

"He reads the game so well and plays the ball out of defence.

"Westy has done well alongside him. I think he had been struggling a little but, but the last couple of games have seen him play very well again.

"Keeping clean sheets is vital - you will always have a chance of winning.''

* Doncaster chairman John Ryan could lodge an official complaint to the FA about the performance of referee Chris Foy at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Ryan was upset by the decision not to issue a red card against Micky Barron when he fouled Gregg Blundell on the edge of the area. In a case of mistaken identity, Chris Westwood was cautioned.

Westwood is hoping the official rescinds his booking.

* Bradford City boss Colin Todd has admitted his interest in Clyde Wijnhard, but insisted the Darlington striker is one of several players he is looking at.

Todd is weighing up his options after failing to sign Dele Adebola on a permanent basis following a successful three-month loan at Valley Parade.

Former Middlesbrough manager Todd has been suitably impressed with the form of Wijnhard, who has scored four goals in six appearances for Quakers.

The 31-year-old - who saw moves to Sunderland and Oldham fail to materialise in the summer - joined Quakers last month on a pay-as-you-play basis after spending last season in the Portuguese top flight with Beira Mar.

Quakers boss David Hodgson has held talks with the players' agent, with a view to signing Wijnhard until the end of the season.

However, Hodgson revealed over the weekend that Wijnhard will speak to another club this week, believed to be Bradford.

"He is a name we have written down, but we do have other irons in the fire," confirmed Todd.

Wijnhard - based in Leeds - has also been linked with a move to Hull City, but Tigers boss Peter Taylor has drawn up a short-list of three strikers, including Stockport's Luke Beckett and Wijnhard is not one of them.

Meanwhile, York City's interest in Quakers defender David McGurk may be over after player-boss Chris Brass was sacked by the Minstermen yesterday after a poor run of results.

McGurk is one of seven players, whose name has been circulated by Hodgson for transfer. The Teessider spent a successful loan spell at Bootham Crescent earlier this season and Brass was keen to re-sign the player.

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