CHRIS Turner is planning swift talks with Gordon Watson in a bid to extend the striker's stay at Victoria Park.

The former Southampton and Bradford front-man has impressed in two outings since joining Hartlepool last week.

Tomorrow's encounter with Carlisle at Victoria Park is the final game of the three-game arrangement that enticed him back into League football.

But Turner, who could have Micky Barron back tomorrow after recovering from a broken foot, confirmed: "We hope to keep him here and will try and sort something out with him.

"He is a good player at this level, an excellent one and he has impressed everyone.''

Watson has been out of the game since a brief spell at Bournemouth two years ago.

But he is now recovered from a broken leg suffered while playing for Bradford against Huddersfield and admitted he has been impressed by what he has seen at Pool - despite his side sitting second bottom of Division Three

He admitted: "I don't see Hartlepool as a bottom of the table side. Alan Buckley said to Chris the other night that we were the better side.

"We play good football and create chances. There are some good players here.

"We've had our chances, it just won't go for us - I've noticed that very quickly here! But I don't think that there'll be many teams wanting to play us - let's put it that way. We look strong all over the pitch.

"At the moment I'm here until Saturday and then we will take it from there.''

Pool, meanwhile, will next week take Torquay midfielder Brian Healey on trial. The former Spennymoor playmaker is available on a free transfer and he recently had a trial at Hull.

He missed most of last season through injury and Hull boss Brian Little is planning to keep tabs on the ex-Billingham Town, West Auckland and Bishop Auckland man this season as he weighs up a permanent deal.