CRAIG HIGNETT feels Luke Williams is ready to repay the faith shown in him by Hartlepool United.

Signed last August, the attacker never made an appearance during the season after being beset by injury problems.

But he’s signed a new deal at Pools and is now fit and injury free.

He missed out on his debut because of tonsillitis and then suffered a knee injury in training which required two operations and kept him out for the duration.

Pools and Hignett have shown their belief in the former Pools loanee and the manager told the club website: “Luke had an awful time last year, through no real fault of his own.

“He’s desperate to play now, he knows the club well and his talent is clear for everyone to see – we just need to get him right.

“I know that he’s worth sticking with because, when he’s fit and playing, he will be the best player in this league, without a shadow of a doubt.

“He will win us games. He is the type of player who turns you from an average team in to a really good team so to say we were frustrated last season is an understatement and he felt the same frustration as well.

“The Luke Williams of this world are the players that get you promoted with their extra quality – and he had that extra quality in the Championship so can you imagine if we get him right in this league?’’

He added: “He’s definitely got the hunger and the desire because he’s missed it a lot – it’s been stop-start for him for the past two seasons really but he’s desperate to get back on the pitch.”

Williams suffered injury trouble at his previous club, Scunthorpe, but last season’s difficulties were not related.

Pools have yet to announce the futures of both Nicky Featherstone and Carl Magnay. The long-serving pair are both out of contract and expected to remain at the club.