ANDREW Boyce has moved to Hartlepool United on loan from Scunthorpe.

The centre-half has signed on a 28-day deal and trained with Pools at Maiden Castle in Durham this morning.

Pools have lost Harry Worley with an ankle injury picked up last weekend at York. Matthew Bates played at centre-half in the midweek win over Newport.

Boss Ronnie Moore said: “Harry is out for a couple of weeks, so Andrew has an opportunity to come in. We need to be strong and have strength in depth and we are a little bit weak in that area. 

“Dan Jones is coming back from a back injury and he covers us at left back and centre-half. If a centre-half gets injured then we need someone in.

“Andrew played a lot of games last season for Scunthorpe. He’s strong, big and suits what we are looking for. He’s a leader, a big defender which helps at this level.’’

Iron boss Mark Robins said of the defender, a regular last season, said: “We looked at the situation on its merits and the questions posed and we thought it was the right thing to do for him and us.

“Hopefully he will get some decent games in during the 28 days and under the terms of the agreement he will come back to us after that time.”