Former striker on his way back to Victoria Park ?

Pools struck a temporary deal with his club Peterborough last week for the 21-year-old, and he was set to cut short his stay at Bradford, where he moved on loan in August, to join up with the Pools squad in time for their 1-1 draw at Cambridge United.

But the arrangement with Posh was changed on Friday, leading Pools to hold back. They hope to resurrect the move today, but privately accept it may not happen.

James has trained with Bradford this morning. 

Ronnie Moore’s need for an extra striker has been made more important, after Ellis Harrison suffered a leg injury at Cambridge. He left the ground on crutches, with his leg immobilised in a moon boot.

He signed for a month last week, but Pools fear his temporary stay will be cut short.

Billy Paynter travelled with the squad at the weekend and took part in the pre-match warm-up. He will play for the reserves in midweek and should be involved in Saturday’s home game with Exeter City.

Pools have had bids rejected for Oldham’s Rhys Murphy and 25-goal Krystian Dennis, who is on loan at Macclesfield from Stockport.

Of the move for James, who left Pools for Posh in a £500,000 deal in August 2014, Moore said “The chairman is here today, has done everything we asked for, full backing on getting people in but there comes a limit when you can’t be held to ransom on players because one deal is done somewhere else and they are asking you to give more money when the deal had been done.

“I hope it doesn’t fail, a nice little move for us. I’m not saying who it is, people know or guess who it is.

“It was close, practically done Thursday, Friday it seemed alright and then went backwards from there because the club wanted a bit more off us.

“We were settled on it and then it’s fallen through before this game, but hopefully next week. It’s a striker, we have another try, but if they deal can’t be done what we want then we can look somewhere else.’’

James has been on loan at Bradford but has only started four games and has made ten substitute outings without scoring.

Pools were unfortunate not to win on Saturday, as they conceded a 90th minute goal.

They were positive from the off, taking the game to the home side, but only had Jake Gray’s finish to show.

Gray played in an advanced midfield role and it suited him perfectly. Linking up well with Michael Woods, the Crystal Palace loanee was a constant threat.

Harrison hit a post in the first-half in a mad scramble, was denied by a fine save by keeper Will Norris, who then kept out the Woods follow-up.

Harrison went off after coming off worse in a 50-50 tackle and Moore said “Harrison will be monitored on Monday, then sort out what needs to be done and if he’s injured he has to go back.

“He’s a threat, looked a threat and he’s a good player who will get goals. It’s unfortunate that he’s picked up a knock and hopefully he won’t be finished here.’’

Pools were on top, and when the Us attacked centre-halves Matthew Bates and Adam Jackson were dominant and authorative.

Gray was twice denied by keeper Norris at the start of the second half, before his goal came after again linking up with Woods.

Seven days earlier and Pools were up against a long ball bombardment from Wycombe, one they saw off to win.

It was the same again this time, as the Us went direct with introduced extra strikers.

After some blocks, tackles, saves and defensive strength, they were finally breached – and this was their first away draw in League Two this season.

Following the poor nature of Tuesday’s reverse at Accrington, this was some improvement.

Moore said: “It was encouraging, take the last three games against difficult opposition we have done well in two. In the past we’ve not done well in three of them.

“The system suits what we have got. Their goal was disappointing, we had three men going for one ball in the box.

“We wanted a reaction, only one team should have won it. We created chances, away from home their keeper gets man of the match.

“We started on the front foot, bossed it and I can’t remember Trevor making too many saves. Create that many chances, we have to take them.

“One just after half-time had to go in, but at least we are creating. Go two-up and their one goal doesn’t matter, means nothing. Instead it cost us a win and we hung on.’’