BRAD Walker has often proved a source of frustration for Ronnie Moore. Even before he took control last December, Moore has been working out how to get the best out of the midfielder.

Moore has heard about how impressive Walker was in his breakthrough season, but that was two years ago and he’s stalled since then.

In netting the winning goal for Hartlepool United at the weekend, Walker pushed himself into the starting XI for tomorrow night.

With Michael Woods suspended for the visit of Bristol Rovers after a fifth booking of the season, there’s a midfield spot available.

Carl Magnay is also in the frame after suspension, but with Matthew Bates impressing in the holding role which Magnay played before his suspension, Moore wants something different.

In his preferred 4-3-3 formation, Moore needs midfield runners, a goal threat from deep.

Nicky Featherstone doesn’t trouble the top scoring list – although it was his break from midfield which helped create Walker’s winner.

Walker scored two goals in as many home games last season in the four-game winning run which ultimately kept Pools in the Football League.

On Saturday he netted the goal to secure a first win since mid-August in an often turgid game.

The 20-year-old had only been on the pitch for minutes when he made a charge forward into the area and turn in a wayward Kudos Oyenuga shot.

Walker was called up to train with England Under-18s as he found a spot in Pools’ first-team under Colin Cooper two years ago.

Moore has yet to see that form for a consistent periods; the pair had a one to one chat before the game, the manager trying to get his message across to the midfielder about what he wants from him.

Initial signs are promising.

"He's got quality, there is no doubt about it, he's just lacking match time,’’ reflected Moore.

"We've had a chat, he knows what we're looking for, it was nice to see him on the scoresheet.

"Featherstone and Woods have done well in there, it's hard to leave them out.

"If you are playing three in midfield you are looking for a holding midfielder I don't see Brad as that. He's in competition with the other two, but Woods getting suspended has opened the door for Brad.

"There are two very big, important games coming up.

"It is up to Brad to play well and stop Woodsy from getting back. If he plays well, he stays in.’’

Tellingly, Moore added: "He can be infuriating because people told me how well he'd played before I came here.

"I've not seen that from him yet, that was the chat we had, he's got it.

"Basically, he's got to learn the game, learn the way I want him to play if he's going to play in midfield.

"He'd been tremendous here before, he took a penalty in a big game last season which showed he's brave. He's still a young kid, you sometimes forget how young he is.

"He is going to get an opportunity and we'll have to wait and see what happens.’’

The first-half took an age to warm up – it was poor stuff in truth. The opener came as Jake Carroll’s free-kick curled in, via a Scott Fenwick touch.

Minutes later however, Ryan Bird – the striker who, like Walker, played a part in keeping Pools up last season while he was on loan from Cambridge stole a yard of space to convert a cross.

In truth, he didn’t do much else, but proved in his time at Pools that is often the case.

Yeovil felt aggrieved at losing, it was the sort of game neither side deserved to win, neither side deserved to lose.

But the Glovers, injury-hit and with five loan players, didn’t look a confident side and Pools took advantage through Walker’s winner.

The match-winner said: “Getting forward and scoring goals from midfield is part of my game and, I’ve not got many, but I think I can add more to my game.

“I’ve made a run from halfway to get in and score the goal.

“I hope I can get a chance. I think I’ve done well in training the last few weeks and in the minutes I’ve had in games of late.

“We are at home twice in the next week, and it won’t be easy, but I hope I can keep my place.

“I got ten minutes against Cambridge last week and again this week and I think I’ve got in some great areas. I didn’t score last week, but did this week.’’