TIM SPERREVIK may have played his way into a Hartlepool United return on Saturday.

The striker, signed from Fana 12 months ago, but sent back to his former club for a summer-long loan, showed why Chris Turner was prepared to take a gamble on the front man.

After losing his place in the Pool squad as he struggled to adapt to the demands of the English game, Sperrevik was loaned to Fana to build up his fitness and confidence.

He might have lost his number ten shirt as the squad numbers were issued last week, but his showing in the 1-1 draw indicated there is potential that could be fulfilled in England.

The giant front man gave his side the lead two minutes after the break, coolly netting past the advaning Anthony Williams as he homed in on goal.

Anth Lormor headed Pool level, but before being replaced in the closing stages Sperrevik managed to give the Pool defence some uncomfortable moments.

Fana - who also fielded former Pool defender Rune Vindheim - gave Pool the toughest game of their pre-season campaign to date as the side, fifth in the Norwegian second division, looked to repeat their 3-0 win over a physically drained Pool side of a year ago.

Pool should have taken the honours as Kevin Henderson missed from the spot.

There was an injury scare for Turner as home-grown midfielder Brian Ross was carried off with a suspected twisted knee in the first-half and he will be missing from tonight's game with Brann Bergen.

"I thought Tim played well,'' admitted Turner, who yesterday took his squad to Brann's Elite League clash with Tromso. "That's the way he played against us last year. He caused a few problems and it was a good workout for us. The result doesn't matter so much, we had the chances to win and missed a penalty as well.

"The main thing is about playing a competitive game and this was very, very competitive."

Hartlepool: Hollund (Williams 45); Robinson, Lee, Simms, Arnison; Boyd (Westwood 85), Ross (Barron 22), Clarke (Clark 45); Lormor, Hnderson (Easter 70), Humphries.

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