Dave Challinor has added extra firepower to his squad ahead
of the weekend with the capture of young forward Rob Harker on loan from
The towering 19-year-old came through the ranks at Bury and
made a First Team debut for The Shakers in the EFL Trophy back in October 2016
at the age of 16.Burnley made their move as Harker reached the end of his
scholarship with Bury and two goals in a Development League game against Sheffield
Wednesday helped net him a permanent deal at Turf Moor.A promising target man with an eye for goal, Harker has gone
on to become a regular for Burnley's Under-23s side since then and has caught the
eye of Pools boss Challinor.“I think it is common knowledge that we've been afteranother striker,” Challinor told us.
“We have looked at lots of players but Rob's was a name that
has been on our radar for a few weeks really but, at this time of the year, you
have to be patient and wait for things to fall in to place.“It's his first loan in terms coming out and playing men's
football but I am sure, going off what I have seen from him the last few years,
he is going to be a big hit.“He's scored goals at Under-23 level and he's highly-rated;
he's a good size and will bring us something different and complement the
forward players we already have.“Hopefully, like in the case of Aidan Keena, Rob can come in
and hit the ground running and really play his part between now and the end of
the season.”Harker has been handed the number 9 shirt and will go straightin to the Pools squad for Saturday's game against Barnet at The Hive.