HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner last night swooped for a trio of summer signings as hot-shot Tommy Miller edged closer to a Victoria Park exit.

Miller spent yesterday locked in talks with Crewe boss Dario Gradi after the Gresty Road club had an offer accepted by the Pool board.

And to compensate for Miller's expected departure, Turner snapped up Port Vale's Tommy Widdrington, Birmingham's Jon Bass and Mansfield's Darrell Clarke.

Free-scoring Miller will spend the weekend mulling over his future before heading to Ipswich for talks with George Burley on Monday.

Coventry have also had a bid accepted and it is believed that Birmingham may be about to join the chase for the player Turner bills as "the best attacking midfielder outside the Premiership''.

Satisfied Turner last night reflected on his "busiest day ever" after tying the trio to Victoria Park and revealed: "It's amazing how they have all signed on one day. I've been trying for weeks, months, to get these three here.

"It has been a competitive chase to get them, the players obviously had other clubs to talk to and we had to bide our time after we had the chance to speak to them.

"I think that these are the sort of players who would have been impossible to sign in the past.

"When I sat down with Colin West at the end of last season I can honestly say these were the top three players we targeted. It's nice to be able to satisfy the fans, I know they have been a little impatient.

"But last Friday I told supporters that we would hopefully have three new players at the club in a weeks' time and we have done it.''

The trio won't be involved at Blyth this afternoon as Pool start their pre-season campaign in a fund-raising game for the UniBond League side and Turner added: "Bringing in players of this calibre is difficult and takes some persuading.

"We are fortunate that we have superb training facilities and can see the ground developing. Tommy Widdrington hasn't seen the ground for six or seven years and can't believe the difference.''

Widdrington, spotted by legendary North-East scout Jack Hixon before moving to Southampton, said: "I've got family up here, so it's great to be moving back home. I've been impressed with the set up and like what Chris and Colin have told me and I'm really looking forward to playing here.''

Turner sees Clarke - Pool are ready to pay around £80,000 for the 23-year-old after he rejected a new contract at Field Mill - as an ideal replacement for Miller.

He has netted 25 times in 136 appearance for his home-town club and Turner said: "He reminds me of how Tommy Miller was when I arrived at the club. He is a good, strong player and has played a lot of games with Mansfield.

"We may be losing one player who can score goals from midfield, but in Darrell we are gaining another - and that is not putting pressure on the lad.''

Clarke, who teams up with his former Mansfield teammate Anth Lormor at Pool, admitted: "I've been at Mansfield since I was ten and I feel like I've achieved everything I can there. I feel like a fresh challenge and the manager really sold the club to me. ''

"Another reason is that the club is ambitious - I'm not saying that Mansfield aren't, but Hartlepool seem to be moving in the right direction more than Mansfield.

"Manager Chris Turner has told me what sort of role he will play me in and I am relishing the challenge.

"I believe Hartlepool are one of the better sides in Division Three and I can see us getting promoted next season with the players Mr Turner has brought in."

Right-back Bass was freed by Birmingham boss Trevor Francis after making 60 appearances at St Andrews.

He suffered a shoulder injury last season and only made one League appearance.

Turner said: "He's been training with us this week and has really slotted in well.

"He is very fit and has been a First Division player all his career. He is experienced, strong and provides excellent competition for Paul Arnison.''

Bass admitted: "Several clubs were interested in signing me, but I was particularly impressed with the way Hartlepool didn't just ring to talk to me, they invited me up here straight away to meet everyone, see the set-up and train with the lads.''

Turner added: "Once again, the chairman has backed us and shown his commitment to the club and has made it possible for me to get the players I wanted.''

Pool will field a mixed side this afternoon with the likes of Micky Barron, James Sharp and Kevin Henderson joined by a number of trialists and Turner said: "I hope plenty of fans go along to help Blyth.

"They have had money troubles and it would be tragic if a club with Blyth's history and tradition went to the wall.''

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