NEALE Cooper last night moved to fill the void left by Mark Tinkler's suspension with the capture of Manchester City's Chris Shuker.

Shuker will replace Tinkler in Hartlepool's central midfield for tomorrow's trip to QPR, with the ex-Leeds and York man suspended for one game after collecting five bookings this season.

He spent two months on loan at Rochdale this season, but returned to Kevin Keegan's squad despite Dale boss Alan Buckley looking to sign him on loan for the rest of the season.

But Shuker hasn't been involved in the first team and is resigned to leaving City in the summer when his contract expires, and he moved to Pool despite interest from Chester and Oldham.

He was a regular in City's pre-season side, but Keegan said: "We have had discussions with him and he knows that at the end of the season he will be going.

"Some of our young ones we feel have had a chance here. Those contracts run out at the end of the season and players are not silly - they know if they are not playing in the first team that they will not be offered anything else."

Shuker is likely to line-up alongside Gavin Strachan in central midfield tomorrow, with Joel Porter and Eifion Williams continuing up front.

Meanwhile, Adam Boyd has extended his loan period at Boston United for a second month and Mark Robinson yesterday signed a month-long loan deal with UniBond League Spennymoor United.

Assistant manager Martin Scott admits "a poor performance" was the downfall of his reserve side on Wednesday, as they lost for the first time this season.

After a 2-1 reverse at Scunthorpe, he said: "I wasn't happy to say the least. We had no direction or urgency.''

Pool's goal came from Jermaine Easter, after he returned from a trial at Nationwide Conference side Hereford.

l Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister has asked to be temporarily released from club duties for the ''foreseeable future'' because of personal reasons.

McAllister has informed club chairman Mike McGinnity of the news so he can spend more time with wife Denise, who has a serious illness.

Former Liverpool midfielder McAllister said: ''I believe that I have a responsibility to be with my family at this time.

''I am very grateful for all the support we have received from the club and the fans and I hope to return to the club in the future."

Chairman McGinnity added: ''Myself and the whole board totally respect Gary's wishes to be with his family at this difficult time.''

Assistant manager Eric Black will be in charge of team affairs until further notice.

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