WHEN your captain and big summer signing is ruled out through injury three games into the season, it’s only natural for concerns and worries to be raised.

But while Hartlepool United’s Andrew Davies still has another three weeks or so before he’s ready to return, the team has gelled in his absence.

Pools take on Barrow at the Super 6 Stadium tonight looking for a fifth successive win. Their last defeat came when Davies was injured on August 11.

In his absence, Carl Magnay has revelled in his central role in a back three, flanked by two solid performers in Peter Kioso and Myles Anderson.

Kioso has been a welcome surprise in the team this season. A former MK Dons prospect, he was picked from Dunstable in the Southern Premier League.

Athletic and competitive, it didn’t take Bates long to offer him a contract while on trial.

“Peter has done well and it’s not surprised me – I picked him out early in pre-season as one to watch,’’ reflected Bates.

“We got him in and did well in training and in games, but you never really know how someone will fare in this league. I can’t say there was no doubt because you naturally always do, but he has done everything expected of him for us.

“He has surpassed how well I felt he would do for us. The fans have taken to him, the players have taken to him and he is a really nice guy.’’

Bates, seeking to become the first Pools boss since Danny Wilson in 2007 to win five successive league games this evening, added: “He wants to work hard, had just turned 19 and it’s hard to believe as a lot of people don’t realise how old he is and you want him to do well because of his attitude.

“He came in and we recognised quickly what he had. I would like to think that with my experience as a defender I would be able to see a player there. As soon as he came in, how he was around the place – putting tackles in, shouting at the players, organising and I could see there was something.

“He’s another one who hopefully has a big future.’’

When Pools’ current director of football Craig Hignett was manager, he made sure he did his homework on potential signings.

It’s a trait Bates is more than happy to carry out and it has worked well with his summer recruitment helping reshape and boost the squad.

“It’s a big move for him to come back into full-time football and there’s a lot of things to take into consideration – Craig will tell you that,’’ admitted Bates.

“When you sign players you look at their background, what they are like, girlfriends, families, personal life. You can always find out what they are like. Every signing is a bit of a risk and he has come some distance to move to the North-East.

“But he is with a good bunch of players who have come up together, who live together, who get on well and I can see that every day. There is a good group, a good blend of them and Myles looks after them as a good professional.

“Peter was recommended to me by a friend, someone said I would like the look of him. We phoned and he was straight into training with us and he was very keen to get started.’’

Bates’ most recent signing Luke Williams is available tonight after being ruled out of the last two games through tonsillitis. Goalkeeper Ryan Catterick is back at the club after his loan spell at Guisborough ended.