HARTLEPOOL United chief Chris Turner is keen to keep non-contract recruit James Sharp at Victoria Park.

The Pool boss yesterday opened talks with the 24-year-old defender who was recruited from Andover Town in the Jewson Wessex League amid a pre-season defensive crisis.

Former Reading trainee Sharp has started all five games this season, but suffered a hamstring strain in Monday's goalless draw with Cheltenham and was replaced by Gary Stodder.

Strodder is now free from suspension and fellow defender Graeme Lee is ready to return to training after knee trouble, but Turner is hoping to agree a deal with Sharp.

The Pool boss admitted: "He has done well and once he is settled in and gets fitter and sharper then I think we'll have a good left-footed centre-back.

"Gary Strodder came in on Monday and even though he has missed the first four games it was as if he had never been away.''

Darren Knowles is a doubt for Saturday's home game with Shrewsbury after picking up a thigh injury. He was replaced by Paul Arnison and admitted: "We played two games in three days and it was just too much, I had to come off.''

Norwegian keeper Martin Hollund came in for praise from Turner after impressing against Cheltenham. He made a string of saves to keep the scoreline blank and Turner admitted: "Martin knows that if his standards drop then Antony Williams comes in and it would then be up to Martin to win his place back.

"Martin has done well in training and in games and the specialist work with our goalkeepers is paying off.''

Pool have former Celtic keeper Peter Latchford working with Hollund and Williams two days a week at their Houghall College training base.

Colin West's reserve side entertain Chesterfield this afternoon.

Left-sided defender Mark Robinson will start after being rested by Turner on Monday following an impressive start to first-team football while Norwegians Thomas Tennebo and Tim Sperrevik will also play along wiith trialist Jon O'Connor.