PAUL MURRAY became Hartlepool United’s third signing of the summer last night, with Chris Turner admitting he could still do with a few more.

After a successful trial, Murray has followed former Carlisle United team-mate Evan Horwood to Victoria Park, where former Guisborough goalkeeper Andy Rafferty has also moved during the close season.

Turner has been keen to make adjustments to his playing pool before tomorrow’s opening day trip to Rochdale in League One, but has found it difficult to convince the club’s owners, IOR, to push through deals before now.

Murray, 33, will wear the number 20 shirt and will figure at Spotland, although Hartlepool will have to wait before they can name Fabian Yantorno in their match-day squad.

Yantorno has also impressed during his trial and terms have been agreed to bring the Uruguayan to the North-East, after spells with Hibernian, Chester and Gretna.

But he will have to wait to receive international clearance once his signature has been confirmed, with Pools hopeful that last season’s stint back in Uruguay with Atenas de San Carlos will not present hitches.

The 27-year-old’s unavailability for the trip to Rochdale means that Turner has still not brought in a forward to replace Roy O’Donovan, who has since moved to Coventry City after his successful loan from Sunderland at the end of last season.

The lack of transfer activity has frustrated Turner, although he will be doing what he can to ensure Hartlepool compete in a League One that will boast plenty of ambitious teams.

“You envy the teams that are signing a lot of players,”

he said. “I went through an article the other day and there are teams in this division who have signed seven, eight or even nine players, like Huddersfield.

That’s the way things are at the moment. We have to battle on.

“But the teams splashing the cash are in the minority in all the divisions. Huddersfield, Southampton, Swindon have in our division and those are the clubs sure to be in the top six at the end of the season.”

Turner’s attempts to strengthen have hardly been helped by the persistent rumours that the club has been in discussions for investment of some sort throughout the summer.

There has been no comment from chairman Ken Hodcroft on the claims, but Turner insists he has not been informed of any potential there has been for a deal during the past six weeks.

“I have heard all the rumours, all the suggestions, but nobody has said anything to me,” he said. “If the owners said anything to me then I believe it. If they don’t say anything I don’t believe it.

“I have not spoken to the chairman or anyone about a takeover. All I know is what has been reported or what fans have been saying to me.

“IOR are supportive of the club, of me and that’s the situation.”