HARTLEPOOL United have stolen a march on Chesterfield in the race to sign Wolves front-man Mark Jones, writes NICK LOUGHLIN.

Boss Chris Turner, who had the highly-rated striker under his wing during his time as youth team coach at Molineux, has offered him the chance to move to Victoria Park.

With Gary Jones ready to complete a free move to Halifax in the next 48 hours, Turner is hoping for an answer before Pool start their pre-season programme against Aberdeen on Saturday.

Chesterfield are also interested in taking Jones to Saltergate, but boss Nicky Law admitted: "I am interested in him coming to Chesterfield, but he has had a firm offer from another club and I am not in a position to offer him anything yet.''

Law has signed Chester's Luke Beckett to boost his strike force and last week snapped up Darlington defender Steve Tutill on a free transfer.

Turner, meanwhile, has praised his players just a week after returning to training. Pool, who head for Norway next week for a three-game tour, were back in training ahead of most of their counterparts and Turner said: "We had a very good week's training. They all came back in good shape and have looked after themselves over the summer.

"We had the weekend off and the next stage is to start preparing for the first game on Saturday. Nick Ward (fitness coach) has worked them hard and we have had bits of football included as well - it hasn't all been physical work. Everyone has been doing the right things and I am pleased with the response.''

l POOL are not hosting a Schoolboy international between Thailland and Brazil on Thursday. A number of weekend listings claimed the game was being screened live on Sky Sports, but a Pool spokesman said: "We were approached over a year ago and again six months later, but that was as far as the matter went.''

l POOL head for Norway on Sunday and fans looking to travel for the games against Brann Bergen, Sogndal and Fana can fly direct with Braathens, Norway's national airline, from Newcastle.

Prices start from £135 (excluding tax) for daily flights via Stavanger to Bergen. For information on fares and availability contact Braathens on (0191) 214 0991

l FORMER Darlington midfielder Michael Oliver has launched a stinging attack on his old team, saying he believes they lack the ambition of his new club, Rochdale.

Oliver left Feethams a fortnight ago as a free agent when his contract with the play-off final losers ran out.

The player said he had been given the chance to stay at Darlington but opted to quit instead. " I was offered another year at Darlington," he said, "But I think the ambition's gone out of them. With them not going up last year automatically, and then the disappointment of the play-offs, the Chairman has cut the wage bill and that was the main reason I left because they couldn't afford to keep me. It's a new beginning for me at Rochdale."

Dale entertain Quakers on the first day of the new season and Oliver had a stark prediction for the final score.

"I know Darlington have only got 16 professionals training at the moment, so if they don't make any new signings, I can see Rochdale having an easy first game," he said.

Meanwhile another midfielder, Neil Heaney is all set to leave Feethams today and join Scottish Premier League club Dundee United.

The 28-year-old will talk terms with United manager Paul Sturrock this morning, and is expected to agree a three-year deal.

The exact fee hasn't yet been disclosed, but it is expected that Quakers will receive in the region of £200,000, which the fans are hoping will be used for replacements. Heaney said: "I'm going up there for a chat with the manager on Monday. We'll have to see how things go."