NEALE Cooper's friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson last night helped secure a new face at Hartlepool United.

Cooper made two signings yesterday, Australian international Joel Porter signed a short-term deal and Old Trafford youngster Daniel Byrne moved to Pool on loan.

Byrne, 19, can play across the midfield, but his preferred role is on the right wing.

Porter has been training with Pool for over six weeks, scored four goals in five games for the Socceroos and played for leading Aussie side Sydney Olympic.

"We've been watching him for a while,'' said assistant manager Martin Scott.

"There's a few players we have been looking at closely and the chance arose for Danny to come here.

"He wanted to come to the club, which is always a good sign, and he wants to play league football.

"He is a good athlete and will give us something different. He plays on the right wing, but can also play across the midfield or up front. He is flexible which suits us because we can adapt our game.''

Scott added: "Of course, Neale has a good relationship with Sir Alex and hopefully it can benefit our club. We want him to come here, enjoy himself and go back there to say good things about Hartlepool United.''

Ferguson will be hoping for a repeat performance from when he sent a teenage winger on loan to a Second Division club. In 1995, David Beckham went to Preston, netted twice in five games and that helped in moulding Beckham into England captain.

Byrne has been a regular in United's reserve and under-19 teams, but has yet to make the breakthrough into the first team.

Porter could play for the reserves against Darlington this afternoon - providing international clearance comes through in time.

Pool applied to the Australian Soccer Association in New South Wales yesterday and Scott admitted: "With the time differences, we hope it will come through in time.

"If we don't get it for the reserves game, it should be there for Saturday.''

Scott's reserve side meet Darlington for the second time in a week this afternoon.

After last Wednesday's draw at Victoria Park, when Quakers netted an injury-time leveller in the Pontin's Holiday's Cup, they meet in the League at Billingham Town's Bedford Terrace.

Scott said: "We are unbeaten this season and I am proud of that record.

"I was disappointed last week, but Darlington deserved something from the game.

"They wanted to win the ball more than us at times and put it about a bit, like you would expect in a derby game.

"It's important we match that effort and, if they are playing Carlton Palmer, it will be harder. He is a passionate character who, I'm sure, will have them wound up in the dressing room before the game.''