HARTLEPOOL UNITED have further added to their defensive ranks with the signing of Harly Wise.

The 20-year-old has been on trial with Pools in recent weeks , making two reserve appearances and sufficiently impressing to earn a deal.

Wise was with QPR from the age of seven before his release at the end of last season. he was on trial at Swindon in the summer.

"He has come up on trial and shown a real determination and hunger," said boss Craig Hignett. "He has bags of ability and potential."

Hignett has also signed defenders Scott Harrison, Liam Donnelly, Toto Nsiala and Ben Pollock in recent months, while Matthew Bates and Rob Jones also penned new deals.

The latter have been absent of late through injury and won't be involved against Orient at The Northern Gas And Power stadium tomorrow.

Hignett said of the pair: "They are still in their treatment. "They are both outside and running it is just a case of getting fit now because they have missed a lot of football and not done a lot of training. Hopefully it won't be too long for them now.

The experience bit is what we lack."