Lee won’t be staying at Pool

Mar 15 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

HARTLEPOOL United manager Danny Wilson is likely to name an unchanged side for the trip to Tranmere Rovers this afternoon following three successive victories.

But it was not all good news for Wilson yesterday after he admitted he had tried and failed to get Doncaster Rovers to extend Graeme Lee’s loan deal at Victoria Park.

Lee, who was in his second spell at the club, has provided cover for Michael Nelson and Sam Collins at centre -back, but he has been asked to return to Doncaster to fulfil a similar role there. Wilson said: “Doncaster wanted him back because they have got some injuries and there is a possibility he might be involved for them at the weekend. In that respect, we did not have a say in the matter.

“Spike came in and pulled us out of a bit of a hole and in those terms he was fantastic. We wanted someone with experience and he did great. He needs games as well but saying that the decision has been taken out of our hands.”

Hartlepool travel to Merseyside in good spirits and Wilson has been particularly impressed with the form of strikers Joel Porter and Michael Mackay (pictured left). The manager explained: “The injuries have been frustrating for Joel and even more frustrating when you know he can do it, but he isn’t reaching the form he can achieve.

“It has been nice for him to get two great games under his belt and that will give him a lot of confidence. He has set his standards and now he has to try to reach them every week.

“No matter who the players are up front, you will get the rewards if you put the work in. They have been doing that in the last two games. They have reaped the rewards with a goal apiece.”