WHEN Gime Toure signed for Hartlepool United, Craig Hignett issued a bit of a warning.

For all his athleticism and talent, the Frenchman, he said, has a bit of tendency to frustrate.

Four games into the season, with three goals to his name and the Victoria Park faithful have certainly taken to the mercurial attacker.

His two goals in midweek against Fylde were of the highest order. He could and should have had more on Tuesday and is out today to add to his tally against Bromley.

“Gime needs to be loved,’’ reflected Hignett. “I think he’s one of those players who hasn’t had a home yet, never felt settled and comfortable. The language has been a problem for him, the type of football has been a problem for him as well.

“But that’s gone now, he knows what it’s all about, he speaks perfect English. He needs a place where he is loved and he has a chance here because he’s started off so well.’’

Toure has so far floated around in the English game, spells with Macclesfield, Wrexham, Fylde and Sutton have came to nothing.

Hignett feels the 25-year-old appears settled in the North-East, which can only help his performances.

“The players love him, he’s exciting to watch,’’ he added. “He can be frustrating but then you see him do what he did the other night and there’s loads of goals in him.

“His best year for goals was last year with nine – he’s got three now and we need someone to grab a boatload of goals, someone getting 20, at least double figures, and I’m sure he will get towards that as the season goes on.

“If he’s loved then he feels appreciated and we will get the best out of him. The lads love him, he’s good around the place and he works really hard.

“His stats are unbelievable in training which are all measured and recorded. His explosive efforts in a game are almost double others and you hope he drags others along with him.

“He’s a forward-thinking player and he needs to be in a system which suits him and we are doing that. He can play centre-forward, wide right, wide left, drop in as a ten if we want him to. The key is keeping him appreciated – which we do here.’’

Pools have four points from 12 this season so far, back to back opening defeats followed by a win and a draw.

Hignett’s side should have beat Fylde, conceding two goals in as many late minutes after being 2-0 up.

“We know what we can do and it’s frustrating we haven’t done what we can in the first four games,’’ said the manager, “We have done better in the last two, but we have confidence for the weekend and are playing alright. Another day we come away with three points on Tuesday and I don’t want to harp on about refereeing decisions, but you can’t get decisions as wrong as that the other night.

“It’s going against us and we keep going and working hard to improve.

“Generally, apart from a half with Sutton, we have done what we wanted in terms of formation snad game plans. Some games we will get on the front foot, but others we have to be tight and firm and we did that the other night while still taking chances.

“As long as we keep learning and understanding what type of team we are we will be alright.’’