MARK Robinson last night welcomed 'the happiest man in football' back to Victoria Park.

Hartlepool United's left-back is delighted Newcastle's James Coppinger has signed a loan deal to return to Pool, because he will be reunited with one of his closest friends.

The pair grew up together in Guisborough and 20-year-old Robinson admitted: "It's a brilliant signing for us.

"The gaffer has been asking me how he's been doing at Newcastle and I know he's been desperate to come back.

"I think he was getting a bit frustrated at Newcastle. He had his moment of glory when he went on as a substitute against Spurs and got a new contract as well, but since then he's been desperate to play football.

"He's always asking me about how things are at Hartlepool and to be honest, I've felt a bit sorry for him. A lot of clubs have been asking about him, but no-one has taken him. Thankfully Chris Turner has.

"We saw him here last time and now he's twice the player. He enjoyed his football with us and I know he can help us improve things and get up the table.''

Coppinger beamed: "It's unbelievable - I don't think there's a happier man in the Football League to be honest.

"The lads here are great, and once I was part of Hartlepool United I always wanted to come back.''

Robinson added: "I've known him since I was three. We played for the same junior club and he's one of my best mates. We went out for a meal on Thursday night and he is so pleased about it.

"I've been on to the gaffer for ages trying to get him to sign him, and as soon as he thought he was on his way this week, Copps was straight on to me asking about all the fixtures and who we have to play.

"Last time he was here I wasn't in the first team and I was quite jealous. I sat in the stand for the last game of the season at Hull and he says that was his best day in football.''

Coppinger is likely to be on the bench against Rushden and Diamonds, but Turner knows his arrival will be of benefit in the coming weeks.

"He played on the right against us on Wednesday,'' said Turner. "But he can play a in a few positions and with a lot of games coming up he gives us extra options.

"He was excellent before and he is coming back this time to a better team.

"No disrespect to the lads who were here at the time, but we now have some real quality footballers at the club and James will benefit from playing alongside them.

"Playing with people like Gordon Watson, Ritchie Humphreys and Tommy Widdrington will bring the best out in him and it could be very exciting.''

Turner is delighted the Premiership club have agreed to the deal. He said: "Bobby Robson watched the game and everyone made us so welcome. We asked about getting him on the day and the chairman was there as well.

"It's nice to be in good contact with a club like Newcastle.''

Pool coach Colin West played at Rushden for 2 years and manager Brian Talbot said: "Hartlepool were fourth in the Third Division last year so they are not a bad side. They have only lost one player, Tommy Miller to Ipswich, so they will be another difficult task.

"Colin is a good friend of mine and I always knew that as soon as they started playing properly they would get out of the danger zone. They think they can get into the play-offs, but whether they can do that remains to be seen.

"However, they are a very difficult side to play against, as we found out when we played them at Nene Park."

* Pool have been allocated 2,000 terrace tickets for the rearranged derby with Darlington at Feethams on Tuesday, February 19. Season ticket holders can buy one ticket on production of voucher D from 10am on Tuesday, January 29. Tickets go on general sale from Friday, February 1.

* Pool are holding a Sportsman's Dinner on Thursday, March 28 at the Mayfair Centre, Seaton Carew. Manchester United legend Denis Law is the speaker and tickets, priced at £25, which includes a five-course dinner, are available from the club's commercial department on 01429 272584.

Read more about Hartlepool here.