Striker Michael Mackay has joined Blue Square Conference Premier outfit Gateshead on a half season loan.

The former Consett man will join up with his new teammates for training this evening and will remain on loan with the Tyneside club until January 2^nd 2010.

Mackay joined Pools back in 2007, bringing with him a prolific scoring record at non-league level.

During his time at The Vic, he has been a regular within the First Team squad - making 25 starts and hitting ten goals.

Mackay will join up with former Poolies Jim Provett, Phil Turnbull, Mark Robinson and Carl Jones at Gateshead International Stadium.

Chris Turner spoke to hartlepoolunited.co.uk with details on the loan move,

"When Michael was re-signed in the summer I always felt that a loan move to a League Two or Conference club would help Michael's development.

"I feel that Michael has the ability to certainly score goals at Conference level which will help to re-shape him and give him a boost of confidence so that when he returns to HUFC, that will then I feel kick start his career with us.

"This loan deal is not to push Michael to one side but it is what I feel to boost his chances of getting into the First Team at Hartlepool United."

And Turner was delighted that a club like Gateshead came along to offer Mackay the chance to impress,

"Gateshead are a club on the up after their promotion last season.

"They have a good set-up there and I am sure Michael will enjoy being part of things there."