NEALE Cooper was yesterday crowned League One's manager of the month for January, on the day he set about bolstering his squad.

Three wins and a draw to put Hartlepool into fifth spot saw Cooper earn the gong, announced on Sky Sports by Chris Kamara.

Now the Pool boss looks ready to sign Stockport striker Jon Daly, after having a bid, believed to be £30,000, accepted.

Rochdale are also interested in the Irishman, who has scored at Victoria Park for County both this season and last.

Pool look set to clinch his signature after Rochdale boss Steve Parkin revealed: "We had an offer accepted at one stage but the player has chosen to speak to Hartlepool United because he'd prefer to play football at the highest standard possible.

"I can totally understand his decision and we'll just have to wait and see what comes from this.''

County are now managed by ex-Pool boss Chris Turner, who revealed: "They've both expressed an interest in him. Jon has intimated to me that he's going to leave at the end of the season.

"His contract's up in the summer and he's told me he's been here for seven years and he feels it's time to move on."

Daly was pulled out of two games this week - the first team draw with Bournemouth and the reserve defeat to Blackpool - and he could be a Pool player in time for tomorrow's trip to Chesterfield.

Cooper is the first Pool manager since Mike Newell in January 2003 to be crowned manager of the month and Kamara, who judges the award, said: "It's incredible, Hartlepool are unbeaten at home all season.

"He got them to the play-offs and really over-achieved with the players he had last season. This season it was going to be even harder but they're doing well in the league and are still in the FA Cup.

"I think this fellow is destined for bigger and better things. He is really doing well.''

He added: "Three wins out of four in January - it had to be the Hartlepool manager, just to please Jeff Stelling as well. Jeff told me as soon as he saw the record that it had to be Neale Cooper.

"Having had such a successful season last year, everyone thought Neale would find it hard to live up to that performance.

"However, Hartlepool have gone from strength to strength and their three wins and a draw, as well as being in the middle of an FA Cup run, are testimony to the manager and the players."

Also short-listed for the award were Paul Sturrock of Sheffield Wednesday, Dave Penney of Doncaster Rovers and Tranmere Rovers' Brian Little.

* Pool will tomorrow wear the red change kit. A limited number of the Nike shirts will be on sale in the club shop from today.

Read more about Hartlepool here.