WHILE Hartlepool United are prevented from making new signings, one of the players who wants out of Victoria Park is making a big impression on his new manager.

Darren Williams submitted a transfer request at the end of last season after Pools were relegated to League Two.

The request was accepted, yet Sheffield United claim their approach for the former Sunderland defender has been rebuffed.

And, in the absence of Micky Barron, Wilson, for one, is thankful Williams has, so far at least, stayed put.

"Darren Williams was superb - he got up well to support the attack and was also solid in defence,'' said Wilson after Tuesday's goalless draw at Macclesfield.

With skipper Barron returning to training after a groin strain ahead of today's trip to Walsall, Wilson may be tempted to let Williams move on and that, in turn, would go some way to appeasing Football League officials.

Pools, after dropping into the basement, have to apply with regulations which state that wages should not exceed 60 per cent of the club's turnover.

So for now, Wilson is unable to make any signings to freshen up his squad.

Williams has impressed in both games this season and admitted he has no problem with staying at the club.

"I take each day as it comes,'' he said.

"You never know what is going to happen.

"As long as I am at the club I will give 110 per cent in every game, regardless of what has gone on in the background - that doesn't phase me one little bit.

"People can see it how they want to see it, but I am here to play and I will give the fans and the club my all.

"I've done that all my career and will continue to do it. You never know how the fans will react to you and the reaction I have had has been brilliant.

"I am a professional and will get on with it. If the fans have something to say to me, then that's fine, I can handle it and they pay their money so are entitled to a say.

"I will give my all and let them decide.

"I think it would be worse if I was playing without giving my all and not being bothered - that's not me.

"I go out to play and do my best every day.''

One player has moved on to a higher level in the last fortnight, with Adam Boyd signing for Luton Town, and Williams said: "Boydy will be a miss to us and good luck to the lad. I would have hated someone to stand in his way and stop him from playing at a higher level.

"I'm pleased he can go and have a crack at it, but life goes on for us.''

Pools have yet to score in two games but created numerous chances against Swindon in their home defeat seven days ago.

"We couldn't get too down after the result last Saturday, we played so well,'' said Williams. "On one side we were disappointed not to win, but we aren't going to get down so early.

"This division can be physical. A lot of teams are going to play that way, but we can play good football and be strong when we need to and that will work to our advantage.

"Everyone in the team last Saturday had a chance to put the ball away, but it didn't happen.

"Everyone knows it will come. Macclesfield had a shocker of a start and we were wary of a backlash and we had to cope with it.''

Wilson is happy with his defensive lot so far.

"We had to be strong at Macclesfield and there was a lot of hard work put in,'' he said. "Micky Nelson is a man mountain and when he's got his defensive head on there's not many better.

"The central defenders were fantastic against two awkward strikers and we competed well.

"They both did really well, the full backs stood firm and the midfielders and attackers dropped in to defend when they had to.

"What we saw the other night was effort and commitment. We were disappointed we didn't create more chances, but we had more than the lions' share of possession.''