Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner is ready to pin his faith in youth.

After snapping up Northern Ireland under-21 defender Gordon Simms and Jermaine Easter, a striker with caps for Wales at under-16 and under-18 levels, Turner is now turning his attention to developing the youth system at Victoria Park.

Easter and Simms were both under Turner's wing during his successful stint as youth team coach at Wolves and the Pool boss is now looking to see more local talent come through the Pool ranks.

"Signing players like these is the way ahead for the club,'' said Turner. "And we have to look to develop our own young talent. IOR are delighted that we are bringing in young players like this.''

Turner has brought home-gown Adam Boyd back into the frame in recent weeks after losing the influence of Paul Stephenson with a broken wrist.

And he admitted: "I am always willing to give players a chance. Adam has been superb in the reserves in recent weeks and deserved his chance.

"I'm not frightened to put the youngsters in the team - I would rather put someone like Adam in than go and bring someone in for the sake of it, someone without a feeling for Hartlepool United.

"We are building the nucleus of the next Hartlepool team with such players as Adam Boyd, Mark Robinson and Brian Ross. Players like these are the future of the club.''

Chairman Ken Hodcroft echoed Turner's sentiments and admitted: "We have to get the youth system sorted out - it's the future of the club.

"We are not getting enough players coming through and now we are asking 'can we improve our scouting network?' "We have to look at all the smaller teams and clubs within Hartlepool and different age groups. ''

Simms will be away from Hartlepool next week after being called up for Northern Ireland's under-21 squad