HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner believes Mark Tinkler can cut it at a higher level - and is confident he can do it at Victoria Park.

Former Leeds midfielder Tinkler moved to Pool on a free transfer from Southend in November and has played a big role in helping Turner's side forge their way into the play-off reckoning.

He netted his first goal for his new club in the 6-1 win over Barnet at Victoria Park on December 23 and Turner admitted: "I knew when I brought him here I was making a good signing and that has proved to be the case.

"He gives us some extra height in midfield, he is good in the air and can pass it around well. He is an excellent player and I said that to him when he came.

"He should be playing at a higher level and is more than capable of doing so.''

Pool are confident that Saturday's home game with Exeter will get the go-ahead after a frozen Victoria Park pitch put paid to the New Year's Day game with Lincoln.

Turner has cited January as an important month for Pool's play-off and promotion aspirations and his players are itching to get back in action after their enforced Christmas lay-off.

Craig Midgley blasted a hat-trick against Barnet and Turner is sure his rejuvenated front-runner can continue where he left off.

"Craig Midgley could be the Paul Stephenson of this season,'' said Turner. "He has come back from the dead, like Stevo did last year, and I've said it before but he is finally taking his training ground form on to the pitch on a Saturday.

"He has been a good squad member since I came to the club and now he is playing better than ever in the first team.''

Pool's biggest problem of late has been finding a suitable training venue and Turner has been taking training on Seaton Carew beach.

Their normal base at Houghall College in Durham has been under water and on Tuesday they used Newcastle United's nearby Maiden Castle training ground, as Bobby Robson's side were visiting Spurs.

Defender Gary Strodder yesterday underwent a scan on his troublesome Achilles injury. The no-nonsense stopper has been hampered by Achilles trouble in recent years and Turner admitted: "It's purely a precautionary measure which will hopefully put Gary's mind at rest.

"He has had an Achilles problem and it has flared up again recently. If we had a game tomorrow, Gary could play, but his ankle would swell up afterwards.''

Turner, meanwhile, missed out on the Division Three manager of the month award.

Pool had a 100 per cent record in December, with three wins from three, but the accolade went to Chesterfield's Nicky Law who raked in ten points from five games