FORGOTTEN man Jermaine Easter was last night backed by Chris Turner to prove his worth.

Easter was signed from Wolves almost a year ago with a glowing reputation and a good scoring record at youth level.

But the Welshman has failed to make an impact at Hartlepool United, making only four substitute appearances this season.

He impressed both Turner and coach Colin West in last week's reserve game and started in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Newcastle yesterday, which Pool lost 4-3.

And with an eight-game February programme approaching, the Pool boss believes Easter could come into the fray.

The 20-year-old has just ten substitute outings to his name after a red card in the play-off semi-final with Blackpool last season meant he missed the first four games of the current campaign.

And Turner, who had Easter under his wing during his time as youth team coach at Wolves, said: "Jermaine had a really good week last week; he played well for the reserves - one of the few to do so.

"We have been thinking about bringing him back into the first-team squad, but we want to keep him ready and fresh.

"I know he hasn't set the world alight yet but I still think he will do well here. He can do for us what Robert Earnshaw has done for Cardiff - he's quick, powerful and can score goals.

"To be fair to him, he's only really been on the pitch this season when we have been desperate for a goal - like the Darlington game.

"In pre-season in Norway and against Morcambe he looked really good, he was scoring goals."

Turner's striking options could be further boosted with the return of Kevin Henderson. The front man, who bagged 19 goals last season, is recovering from ligament damage and Turner said: "He's not ready to join in just yet, but he's been working very hard in training and could be in the squad for the next reserve game."

Read more about Hartlepool here.