WITH one January signing in the bag, Colin Cooper has been rejected by one target and is now keen on giving another prospect a chance to shine.

Marlon Harewood this week signed a deal at Hartlepool United and, while Cooper is still actively seeking more new signings, he’s also been impressed with a trialist this week.

Jordan Deacey has followed Michael Duckworth from Bradford Park Avenue to Victoria Park. If Cooper has as much success with Deacey as he has Duckworth, he will be onto a winner.

Deacey, whose father John is in charge of the Conference North side, impressed and scored in Wednesday’s reserve team win over Scunthorpe. As well as attracting interest from Carlisle, Deacy has also caught the eye of Burnley and Doncaster.

“When we brought Michael in during pre-season, Jordan was going to Carlisle,’’ said Cooper.

“His dad said he’d already promised Greg Abbot he’d be going there. John phoned me up and said ‘the jungle drums are banging but I always said if you fancy having a look at him we’ll give you a first chance’.

“John knows the way we try to play the way we try to develop players, the way we try to make players better.

“I didn’t know Jordan before he came here, but what I have seen this week I like.

“I spoke to Jordan and told him ‘I enjoyed watching you play, I like the way you handle a footbal and the way you move the ball’.

“He scored and while he tired a bit in the second half, he had a real impact. I have to say I’m already thinking I’m interested.’’

Cooper added: “I’ll have a conversation with Jordan and John and just see what things can be developed. John might turn around and say ‘I can’t afford to let another Michael Duckworth leave Bradford Park Avenue.

“I don’t know the sort of financial package Jordan earns at Bradford but I know the kind of area I’d have to pitch him if he was to come here.

“So there are conversations to be had with John and Jordan to find if there is a middle ground. I’d love to give an opportunity to him. Why not?

He can handle a ball, he’s only 19, there’s loads and loads of room for development.

“But what I understand is that he’s not only a Bradford Park Avenue player, he’s also John’s son, so he may be very protective of Jordan.’’ Cooper is friendly with John Deacey – the pair play football together for a Harrogate veterans team.

Duckworth is facing up to six weeks out following a double hernia operation Of his transfer movements, Cooper admitted: “There’s no progress, we had a knock back earlier in the week. We are waiting to hear a call from another player.

“People seem to know our business before we do at the moment, but we will keep looking and we have made a permanent signing this month.

“The loan window opens shortly and we operate in that market. We have been lucky and I’m pleased to bring Marlon in.’’