AS far as mentors go, Scott Harrison is being well guided in his fledging career.

The centre-half is on loan at Hartlepool United from Sunderland for the third time, the second of this season, and will remain at Victoria Park until the end of the campaign.

And, while his long-term future would seem to be away from Wearside, the 21-year-old is being helped by a Sunderland stalwart.

Kevin Ball earned plenty of respect and admiration for his commitment and honesty in his playing days and now he’s taking a keen interest in Harrison’s progress.

Ball no longer has a coaching role at the Academy of Light and is a club ambassador.

But, after working with Harrison as his then coach, Ball is still taking a keen interest in his progress.

The pair recently met up at Pool’s training base in Durham and Harrison, who moved to Sunderland after the financial demise of Darlington after making ten Conference appearances for the Quakers, said: "I am really enjoying my time here. Kevin Ball came to have a chat with me and see how things are going and he is someone I respect a lot.

"I had the chance to go to Sunderland on trial and he took me on and he is always texting me asking how things are going.

"He had a great career and it is great to have the support of someone like him."

And, while one old school footballer and coach is on hand for advice, another is very much in charge of Harrison’s future.

Ronnie Moore took on the centre-half at the start of January and he has given some impressive displays in the back four as Pools show signs of much-needed progress.

Harrison said: "The manager is definitely getting his message across now.

"He has a laugh but gets his point across how he wants you to play.

"Everyone respects him. He is a bit old school but he has a spark about him and we are all enjoying it under him.’’

Harrison has formed a quick and youthful centre-half partnership with Dan Jones, with the pair ready to face Plymouth on Saturday, a week after Pools picked up a point in their best performance of the season so far at Tranmere.

"I like the partnership with Dan, there is plenty of talking,’’ reflected Harrison. "I know if I miss the ball then there is somebody there alongside you to mop up.

"We could have won at Tranmere and had chances but this can be a platform.

"A win would have been better but we haven't been beaten, that is the main thing.

"As long as we are picking up some points, that is really important.

"The game against Plymouth is massive.

"We are back at home and there is no reason why we can't beat them."