DARRELL Clarke last night linked up with Chris Turner for the second time, as the Hartlepool United midfielder moved to Stockport County on loan.

Clarke has yet to make an appearance this season following a knee operation and will spend a month at Edgeley Park to build up his fitness, before returning to join Pool's play-off push.

Turner, installed as County boss last month, spent £70,000 on taking Clarke to Pool from Mansfield in 2001.

And Clarke has become his first signing in a bid to stave off relegation - County are bottom of League One, eight points away from safety.

His first game of the season will come on Saturday - against another of his ex-Victoria Park managers when Stockport travel to Mike Newell's Luton Town.

Clarke has played a handful of reserve games to build up his fitness in the last six weeks, but Pool boss Neale Cooper said: "We feel at the moment that Darrell needs games in order to get himself fit.

"He has been out for a long time and has fallen down the pecking order a little. He is still a part of our plans and we look forward to having him back here with us when he has returned to full fitness.

" I feel that getting games under his belt with be beneficial to Darrell and to Hartlepool United."

Clarke added: "I need to play matches and hopefully when I come back I can compete for a place in the first team.

"It obviously helps that I know Chris and Colin West, I have a lot of respect for them both.

"They brought me to Hartlepool in the first place so I know how they work so hopefully I can do a good job for them."

Pool's reserve side go to Tranmere today.

Boston, who Pool face in an FA Cup replay at York Street a week today, meet Southend at home in a League Two game.

The Pilgrims, like Pool, are unbeaten at home this season.

A trip to Brentford awaits the winners of the tie and Boston boss Steve Evans said: "We all gathered to watch the draw and there was a collective groan when Brentford came out.

"We were all disappointed because we were hoping for a chance to play a Premiership club.

"In many respects, it was similar to the second round when we drew Hartlepool.

"We just don't seem to have any luck. But at least we are still in the competition and if we beat Hartlepool and play Brentford, it's a tie we are capable of winning.

"We showed at Hartlepool that if we apply ourselves we can match teams from a higher division."