LUKE James yesterday completed his planned return to Hartlepool United, as midfielder Josh Laurent moved from Brentford to Victoria Park.

James return, on loan until the end of the season from Peterborough, has long been in the pipeline as the clubs arranged the move, which was revealed in yesterday’s Northern Echo.

He has cut short a season-long arrangement with Bradford to return to the club, where he scored 22 goals in 100 games for the club (65 starts) in all competitions.

James left Pools in controversial circumstances in August 2014 when he failed to turn up for training while a transfer to Posh was being lined-up.

But he’s back at Victoria Park with a point to prove and is desperate to impress in front of the Victoria Park crowd who took to him when he emerged from the youth team under then boss Neale Cooper.

“I just want to get going and help the team as much as I can,’’ he admitted. “I heard the rumours and then found out it was true and it’s been a couple of weeks and I’m glad it’s over the line. Everyone knows how I feel about the club, I spent eight great years here from eight to 20 so I can’t wait to start again.

“The only way I can make up for leaving is to score goals, I’ve got to show what I can do and start scoring.

“There’s competition for places and I can’t wait to get started.

“I want to start my career off again, how well you play as a striker is all down to goals.

“It’s good to come back here, it’s somewhere I know, I know the lads, the training ground.’’

Posh director of football Barry Fry said the deal will suit all parties and expects James back at the club for pre-season training.

Fry said: “When I first spoke to Phil Parkinson (Bradford boss) at the start of the season he wanted him for the season and we felt he’s struggled here. We thought to boost his confidence it would be great, but he’s not played.

“To be fair there was six or seven clubs wanting him. One was Hartlepool and I think it suited him to go back there, his family is there and hopefully they will treat him like a king, get his confidence back, score goals, take them to safety and come back raring to go.’’

As well as James and Laurent, Pools also planned a third deal, but pulled out last night and chairman Gary Coxhall tweeted: “The final one we were working on revalued the deal at FOUR TIMES what we originally agreed! Won’t be taken for fools, you deserve better.’’

However, Laurent moved from West London after arranging his release from Griffin Park.

He started at Wycombe Wanderers, where he played alongside Pools’ loanee Jake Gray, before moving to Liverpool on trial and signing for QPR and then Brentford.

Laurent, 20 and born in Leytonstone, said: “I found out about the move on Sunday and happy it’s done now, met the chairman last night and here I am. It’s been a long day, I’ve watched the reserve game a bit earlier on.

“I can’t wait for the game on Saturday, get playing and get started.

“At Brentford it didn’t work out like everyone would have liked, but that’s football.

“I know Jake from our time at Wycombe, he’s always been a stand-out player. I won’t stop running, I will work hard and try and produce a bit of magic to score.

“I need to start playing football, at a good level and I want to make a success of it. I want the thrill of earning my shirt every week.’’

Pools reserves yesterday won 2-0 at Chesterfield. Billy Paynter and Scott Fenwick scoring.

Chesterfield yesterday signed midfielder Gary Liddle from Bradford, the former Pools midfielder linking up again with boss Danny Wilson, who took him to Victoria Park from Middlesbrough in 2006.