FLYING winger Anthony Ormerod is setting his sights on a long-term stay at Hartlepool United.

The 22-year-old burst onto the scene at Middlesbrough in 1997, but has found first-team opportunities limited at the Riverside and is now aiming to resurrect his career at Victoria Park.

After making his first start in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Kidderminster, he will be handed another opportunity to impress in tonight's encounter at Lincoln.

"Saturday was my first game in the first team for a year and a half,'' he said. "I felt really sharp, but got cramp in both calfs later on.

"I came to watch last week against Cheltenham and to be honest the standard wasn't great. But we created a lot of chances on Saturday and if we can do that every game we will bang goals in left, right and centre.

"I know what my strengths are - putting crosses into the box. I'm here for a month and hopefully I'll do well and we'll assess things after that.''

Ormerod has been on trial at Grimsby and boss Lennie Lawrence was keen to offer a contract to keep him at Blundell Park.

"I went there and played for the reserves, did quite well - I scored one and set up two - but the manager only offered me a short-term deal and I really want a permanent move.

"My contract at Boro is up in the summer and hopefully I can keep playing well enough to impress.

"I'm a North-East lad and if possible I want to stay in the North-East. The lads at Boro know that the North-East clubs are always professional about their business. Steve Baker told me that was the case.

"I am just pleased to be playing football with Hartlepool and with a bit more fitness I hope I can put in a lot better performances.''

Ormerod will again be on the right wing tonight, with Ian Clark likely to come in for Darrell Clarke on the left.

Turner was planning to stick with the same starting line-up from Saturday, but Clarke suffered a twisted back in training yesterday.

The former Mansfield man, who was hit by a groin strain pre-season, was rushed to hospital after the injury.

But he will have to wait until Thursday before discovering the extent of the injury.

Paul Arnison will take Clark's place on the bench and Gordon Simms will keep his place in defence after being called up for Northern Ireland's under-21 squad yesterday.

He will miss Pool's trip to Rushden & Diamonds next Friday as he represents his country in Malta and Turner will he hoping that ankle-injury victim Graeme Lee will have recovered in time.

Pool: Williams,.Bass, Simms, Sharp, Robinson; Clark, Tinkler, Stephenson, Ormerod; Watson, Lormor. Subs: Hollund, Arnison, Easter, Widdrington, Humphreys.

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