Quiet deadline day in store for Cooper (From The Advertiser Series)

Quiet deadline day in store for Cooper

8:00am Friday 31st August 2012 in Sport By Nick Loughlin

NEALE Cooper will be having a silent transfer deadline day.

The Hartlepool United boss won't be making any signings before tonight's 11pm deadline and there won't be anyone leaving Victoria Park.

Colin Nish's loan move to Dundee last week has, Cooper hopes, created an opening to add to his squad, but with Football League clubs able to sign loan players and free agents - the calibre of player Cooper is aiming for - the Pools boss is in no frantic, panic rush.

He hopes to land Sunderland forward Ryan Noble on loan and, ahead of tomorrow's home game with Scunthorpe, admitted: "The transfer window doesn't really affect us yet. We look at loan deals and they can carry on after that. We get a lot of phone calls from agents regarding players, but the money they are asking they need a reality check and some players will drift out of football.

"This week we have someone in to look at from Everton, he has looked quite sharp but is he right for us? I hope to bring in one or two with Colin Nish going, I think we need to, but can we get the right one?''

He added: "For me, it's tough bringing in players, I'm always on the phone to agents, there's a lot of players out there but they need reality checks financially.

"Straight away we know what we can't do - don't bother talking to me.

"We have spoken to clubs about loan players, but then you are offered them and I cannot take them without seeing them. I need to look at them first and see if they are worth a chance."

Pools are one of a handful of Football League clubs who don't pay agents fees. In contrast, last season's League Two winners Swindon paid around £450,000 in costs to third parties.

"Agents are still onto me, you know what our policy with agents it,'' said Cooper. "They offer players all the time, that's the way of the world. With salary capping you have to live within your means, but I would still like one wide, one through the middle.''

Pools' game at Leyton Orient has been rearranged for Tuesday, October 16. Tickets remain valid for the new date.