RYAN BROBBEL isn’t just gaining experience with Hartlepool United – he’s clocking up the miles as well.

On loan from Middlesbrough, the winger is enjoying life with his hometown club and last week signed an extension to his initial month-long loan.

Last week he played for Pools against Shrewsbury, then travelled to Belfast to score for Northern Ireland’s Under-21 team against Serbia before returning to the North-East to face Tranmere.

Tomorrow, he’s off to Northampton with his clubmates, before the hike to Plymouth next weekend.

It’s almost 1,700 miles in a couple of weeks for five games of football.

"I am really enjoying playing for Pools, it is my hometown and just around the corner,’’ said the 21-year-old.

"I haven't played against Northampton before - I haven't travelled that far! - and then we have Plymouth.

"I am not looking forward to the journeys but you just have to get on with it.’’

Brobbel impressed on loan at York last season and is doing the same at Pools.

On Saturday, as they toiled against Tranmere, Brobbel often looked like Pools’ most likely spark. But they couldn’t find a breakthrough and took a point to make it four from successive home games.

There might have been some disappointment with the performance and a failure to reach the attacking standards against Shrewsbury the previous week.

However, at least it’s some improvement on their other back to back home games this season when they lost to both Bury and Dagenham.

Pools might not have made much headway against an organised visiting side, but the week has all been part of the learning curve for Brobbel.

Brobbel, who qualifies for Northern Ireland through his grandparents, said: "To play international football for any country is great.

"It isn't England but it is still at a really high level - playing against the likes of Italy and Serbia.

"It is really tough and even though we did get beat I thought we held our own.

"Playing international football improves my game, because I am playing against some players that play in the top leagues across Europe.

"I played the full 90 with Northern Ireland and got myself on the scoresheet - even though we were very well beaten.

"Getting my first international goal for the Under 21s was good for me and overall it has been a good week."

Pools, with Brobbel on the right wing and Jack Compton on the left, have a good balance to their side.

Compton wasn’t as free flowing as he was seven days earlier. Brobbel was taken off towards the end, with Cooper wary of the effects of his week behind him.

Cooper spoke after beating The Shrews of the inconsistencies of flair players and this was an example of their ups and downs.

For the third week in a row, Pools were outnumbered in central midfield. Rovers’ 4-5-1 gave them an extra body and their formation changed to 4-3-3 at times.

Up front, Charlie Wyke and Jonathan Franks didn’t get much joy from the back four and Franks had Pools’ only half chance to the game when he flicked Compton’s cross at goal, but didn’t trouble keeper Owain Fon-Williams.

Scott Flinders was the busier, racing off his line early on to smother a Cole Stockton effort after the striker got in on goal.

In front of him, Scott Harrison and Matthew Bates impressed and showed they have developed a quick understanding.

Bates is over his early-season rustiness and is always in control with the ball at the back. Harrison’s willingness to attack every ball – "Scott will head a fridge - no two ways about that,’’ said Cooper – gives Pools a presence.

A full season on loan at Victoria Park would be of benefit to all parties, Pools, Sunderland and Harrison.

Pools are becoming adept at using the temporary transfer market and Brobbel added: "I am really enjoying my time here and the gaffer has spoken about me in the press and that has given me the confidence to go on and do well.

"That has given me a boost, having his full backing.

"I knew the manager from Middlesbrough and I knew what he was about.

"I spoke with him before I first signed and he told me what to expect and what he expected from me. Hopefully he has been pleased and that I am producing because he is playing me."