JAKE Gray has caught the eye in two games for Hartlepool United and plans are advanced to extend his stay at Victoria Park.

Signed on an emergency month’s loan from Crystal Palace, the attack-minded midfielder netted twice in last weekend’s win over Leyton Orient.

Today he will line up alongside alongside Carl Magnay in midfield as Pools go to Mansfield.

But next season, Pools and other clubs won’t be allowed to sign academy prospects like Gray on loan, giving them the chance to prove themselves in the Football League and earn valuable experience.

FIFA have ruled that from next season Football League clubs will not be able to take any players on short-term loans outside of specified transfer windows.

Last season Pools made nine loan signings, they’ve already chalked up eight this season.

There’s no doubt without the impact of the likes of Aaron Tshibola, David Mirfin and Jordan Hugill then Pools would be a non-league club.

Equally, Gray, Adam Jackson, Kai Naismith and Mikael Mandron all helped Pools to victory last weekend.

“The loan system is supposed to be finishing next season – it won’t help League One and League Two and it certainly won’t help the Under-21s,’’ mused Moore. “Where are those players going to go? Who will make decision on their futures, as a lot can’t get proper games now.

“And FIFA are saying no, you can’t have that experience now. Where are these lads going to learn their trade? If it’s good enough for David Beckham – and he had a month at Preston to learn what it’s all about before playing for Manchester United – it’s good enough for anyone.

“Why do they interfere? I don’t know. It’s a shame as a lot of lads will leave football without even knowing what it’s all about.’’

Sometimes loans work, sometimes they don’t. Jason Banton moved from Wycombe and after five substitute outings has cut short his deal to go back early. Last season, Marvin Morgan’s temporary deal proved a cause of frustration for Moore.

Moore admitted: “It’s hard to pick loan players, because you know what they are like as a player as you have watched them with your own eyes.

“But you don’t know what they are like as a player and a person until you get them in. You can ask people in the game and find out about them, but it’s hard at times.

“Under-21s is harder as they’ve not had much experience themselves.

“Sometimes it works with loan players, sometimes it doesn’t. We had it with the winger (Banton), an experienced lad who didn’t quite work for us.

“But then we bring a young kid in from Palace and he’s got goals and made an impact. It’s getting the prayer mat out and hoping you have got it right.’’

Gray’s televised double last week caught the eye and brought him to attention. Interest in his talents has gone up in the last few days, but Pools are hopeful of keeping him longer than just a month.

Pools have not had a player in central midfield like Gray since Antony Sweeney in his pomp and Moore said: "His second was a fantastic goal and, yes, he got a deflection for the first goal, but we haven't got any one like him at the club.

"He's an attacking-minded midfield player who can get up and down.

"He can finish, you don't get seven goals in 11 at Under 21 if you are not getting forward and getting in positions.

"We've tried to extend the loan until early January and everyone at Crystal Palace seems happy with that, so we're just waiting for them to give us the nod.

"They need to be out and playing football, I keep mentioning Tish as an example of that.

"Good young players need to come out and play proper men's football.

"Sometimes good kids find that hard, that's why I was looking for experience.

"I searched everywhere and couldn't get it and when that happens you go back to the files of the scouting reports and see who the better youngsters are.

"We have lists of them and we've been lucky of the top lads on there we've been able to bring to the club ‘’

He added: “Jake is enjoying being here, the Under-21s is no good for them. Players need to be out and playing football, I keep saying about Aaron Tshibola last season and it’s right – look at the difference in him.

“It’s not about passing square and backwards and not tackling, it’s about finding out if a player can cut it.

“Proper men’s football. You look for experience, you can’t get it so you have to go back to the files and our scouting reports and lists of players we have – one, two, three, four, five of them in all positions and we were lucky enough that the top three of them have been able to come in.’’