A CLEAN sheet on Saturday and added competition from a new signing, Craig Hignett hopes Ben Killip will soon be over his settling in problems.

The Hartlepool United goalkeeper enjoyed his second shut out of the season at Chorley at the weekend, the keeper playing his part in an uninspiring draw.

Pools take on Wrexham at Victoria Park on Monday afternoon, where the goalkeeper is likely to be tested more than he was at Victory Park – and in more ways than one.

Hignett admitted after Pools’ last game at home, a defeat to Bromley, that Killip was taking his time to adapting to playing in front of a bigger crowd than he was used to at Braintree.

While Hignett last week signed Zach Hemming from Middlesbrough to provide competition for Killip, the Pools boss has faith in his number one.

“It’s such a specialised position goalkeeping and confidence goes hand in hand with results,’’ said Hignett.

“To be fair, he’s not done anything majorly wrong, just little things haven’t gone his way and sometimes it happens.

“One worldy save and it will turn. We know how good he is, how good he is in training.

“His confidence will come back and he’s only 23 – his first time in front of a proper crowd here and he has to get used to it and adapt and he will.

“We identified his potential early and we have watched him a lot. He’s played for England C, makes good saves, is a powerful lad and has all he needs to push on and progress and he wants to do that.

“There’s areas to improve on but there’s room for that to happen and he will. Ross knows that and works with him.’’

Pools have Dimi Konstantopoulos training with them as he seeks a new club. A move to the Middle East is on the cards and there’s no chance of the keeper rejoining the club he signed for in 2003.

But Hignett feels Killip can benefit from working each day alongside the keeper who was freed by Middlesbrough at the end of last season.

“Having Dimi here can only help him,’’ added Hignett. “He’s still training with us, very calm and nothing affects Dimi and he’s 40 and Ben can learn from that. He’s commanding in what he does and that will rub off on Ben.

“Dimi is a calming presence in training, it filters down and for Ben to work with him is massive in his development.’’