CRAIG HIGNETT admits it’s time for Rhys Oates to deliver on a consistent basis.

The attacker has been in the Hartlepool United side for the last two games, given a rare chance to impress boss Craig Hignett after spending the majority of the season on the sidelines amid a month-long loan at Gateshead.

Signed by former boss Ronnie Moore in the summer of 2015, Oates was a regular under Moore last season, but he’s netted only five goals for Pools in 52 outings and his productivity from wide is often erratic.

He looks set to start as Pools take on Morecame this evening at the Northern Gas and Power Stadium, in a game they have to record a much-needed victory.

“He’s put in a real shift and will always know what we get from Rhys – he’s quick and powerful. His quality can improve, but he’s only a young kid,’’ said Hignett, whose side have not scored in 450 minutes of football.

“From the positions he gets in he needs to improve his delivery at times.

“He’s not surprised me, because I know what he can do. I know what his game is all about and what he need to improve on and he knows it too.

“As a forward you are judged on how many goals you score and how many goals you create.

“To get in positions like he does regularly, you’ve got to produce all the time not just occasionally. If he does that he will catch the attention. You can put it (his deficiencies) down to age and lack of games. I’ve said to him there’s only so much I can put down that that because good players learn, and learn from making one mistake – they only need to be told once.

“If you need to be told five, six, seven times and over and over again you won’t get better.’’

With the transfer window opening on New Year’s Day, there’s the possibility of transfer, both in and out, but Hignett said: “We have one or two players who have a bit of interest in them and we have earmarked one or two we would like ourselves.

“But January is a funny one. The chairman has already said that if a deal is not right for the football club we will not do it - that is where we stand at the moment.

“I don’t anticipate any business will be done early, though.

“People tend to wait until the end and try and get you to take any deal that is on offer.”