NEALE Cooper last night revealed Kevin Betsy's wage demands were the reason why he didn't sign for Hartlepool United.

Betsy signed for Oldham after spending a month on loan at Victoria Park.

Cooper was keen on signing the ex-Barnsley man but he wasn't prepared to break the club's wage structure.

Cooper, who took in last night's Sunderland v Everton reserve game, said: "We made Kevin an offer two days ago which we felt was acceptable, but he has obviously now had a better offer from Oldham.

"The money he was after would have made him the best-paid player at the club and I didn't feel he would be the best player in the squad.

"We gave him an opportunity and he came in and did well in some games but he did not do so well in others."

Cooper has provided chairman Ken Hodcroft with a list of targets and is hopeful of success ahead of the weekend.

Betsy scored once for Pool - in the televised win at Huddersfield - but was on the bench on two occasions.

His Oldham debut will come on Saturday against Pool at Boundary Park. Betsy has signed a deal until the end of the season.

Injury-hit Pool could include teenager David Foley in the squad, after he scored a superb individual goal in yesterday's 1-1 reserve draw with Barnsley.

Pool fielded a young side and skipper Micky Barron played the last 20 minutes as part of his recovery from a hernia operation.

Defender John Brackstone was red carded in the first-half after receiving two bookings and only an 86th-minute penalty, converted by Daniel Nardiello, stopped Pool from winning.

Eifion Williams is a doubt for Saturday after suffering a hip injury in last weekend's draw with Barnsley.