CHRIS Turner’s wait for his main transfer target proved worthwhile as Daniel Nardiello moved to Hartlepool United.

The former Manchester United, Barnsley and QPR forward signed on loan from Blackpool until the end of the season.

Since moving to Bloomfield Road last summer, Nardiello has suffered from injury problems and has made only three outings this season.

But, now over his hamstring and back problems, Pools hope the three-times capped Wales forward, can prove a sound addition to the front line.

He is the second loan striker to sign this month, following Watford’s Liam Henderson.

Turner revealed after Tuesday’s draw with Carlisle that he was due an answer within 24 hours from a Championship club after making an enquiry.

And, after getting the nod from Bloomfield Road, Nardiello was quick to grab the chance of regular firstteam football.

Nardiello, who rejected a loan move from Old Trafford to Darlington in 2001, scored against Pools in a February 2004, 2-2 draw at Barnsley.

He will join his new teammates on the trek to Brighton today – but he already knows one of them, Ritchie Jones.

The pair progressed through the ranks at Old Trafford and shared digs together.

Jones has been in impressive form for Pools of late in central midfield and temporary boss Turner is pleased with his displays.

“This is Ritchie Jones’ first season as a senior professional player and he is playing a lot of games and has been up and down at times,’’ he said.

“The last couple of games he has had two tough and experienced players in Scott Parker and Graham Kavanagh to mark and be around him and stop him from playing.

“Once again it’s a learning process – he is a young player of 20, 21 and not had a lot of first-team football.

“This is first real opportunity and these lads are going to be up and down because they have not had a lot of firstteam football.

“They are intense, pressured and physical games and sometimes you have two a week. This month it’s going to be three a week and it takes it out of them.

“We are trying to improve him all the time and Gary Liddle is the same.’’ Turner, in his role as director of sport, helped secure Jones’ signing and added: “When he came to the club he was absolutely outstanding for me, then he hit a little bit of a plateau and went down again but he is coming back to his best.

“But that’s what you’ve got to expect from young players who haven’t had, between the ages of, say, 17 to 21, a lot of first team football.

“Reserve team football is keep-ball, then you have a shot, we have a shot – there is no intensity or real tough, strong challenges, so these lads are coming into the fire.’’