CHRIS TURNER isn't being held back in the transfer market, despite Hartlepool United recording a loss of almost £1m.

Chairman Ken Hodcroft told shareholders at Tuesday's AGM that the club lost £917,000 during the year ending December 31, 2000.

But despite that loss - the £800,000 windfall from the sale of Tommy Miller to Ipswich this summer isn't included - the Pool boss has a free rein on the transfer front.

Turner has revamped the Pool squad in recent months, with 11 players leaving since the summer and six new faces arriving as Pool aim to go one better than the previous two campaigns when they lost in the play-offs.

"We have never said to Chris 'you can't have £100,000 to spend' or 'there's no way you are getting him in','' revealed Hodcroft, who is happy for Pool's parent company Increased Oil Recovery Ltd to carry the loss.

"But I think that if Chris had gone out and spent £150,000 on a player and he turned out a disappointment, then he would take it to heart.

"Luton said last weekend that they had a £500,000 budget to spend this season. But to be frank I don't think Chris would want it to work like that.

"He thinks the same as us - that there are players out there who can improve the squad without spending a lot of money.''

Turner's latest signing is Barnsley striker Jon Parkin, who signed on a month's loan from Barnsley last week.

He drew a blank on his first outing for the club yesterday in the reserves' 1-0 loss at Mansfield.

Hodcroft added: "It's good to get someone in like that.

"He is a player we can hopefully work on and mould into a good, young player - I would love to see that work out.

"We have been looking for someone in there who can play against big defenders and can be a handful.

"But everyone is looking for a big striker to put the ball in the net.''

Former Pool defender Martin Pemberton netted the only goal of the game yesterday.

Colin West's side dominated the game, but missed a string of chances.

Read more about Hartlepool here.