HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner insists he has no worries about throwing Norwegian striker Tim Sperrevik in for his League debut this afternoon.

Pool go to Rochdale with Sperrevik replacing leading scorer Kevin Henderson, who was forced out of last week's derby win over Darlington with a knee injury.

It was feared Henderson would be out for up to six weeks, but Turner last night revealed his six-goal front man could be back as early as next week.

But Sperrevik, a free summer signing from Norwegian side Fana after imnpressing against Pool in a pre-season friendly, gets his first League start this afternoon on the back of a lively substitute display at Victoria Park last Saturday.

"It's a good chance for Tim,'' said Turner. "I've no qualms about throwing him in - the way he has been playing in the last few weeks he deserves a chance to start.

"Even if I had brought in another striker this week, Tim would have started with Anth Lormor. He is big, lively and will ruffle a few feathers up front.''

Sperrevik has yet to score for Pool, but last week set up Tommy Miller's goal against the Quakers after unsettling defender Neil Aspin.

Turner revealed that Aston Villa striker Neil Tarrant was on his list of hopefuls, but was yesterday informed that the former Darlington trainee is likely to be moving to Scotland on a permanent basis.

Rochdale have started the season in style, sitting in second spot five points behind leaders Chesterfield, and Turner admitted: "Last season we went there with a good following and didn't perform.

"I said to the players this week that we have to go there and show the Rochdale public how well we can play.

"Last season they were one of the teams who were chasing the play-offs and when they beat us they could have caught right up with us.

"We have won our last two games and we need to build on that. It would be nice to think that we can get something out of the next two away games.

"But I have always said that if we play as we are capable of then we have nothing to fear in this division.

"We are in 11th place and are just two points from the play-offs after having a lot of injuries throughout the team.

"If you talk about things in those terms then it is a very good start and if we had been able to pick the strongest team and have everyone fit and available then who knows where we would be.''

Pool skipper Micky Barron has been a permanent fixture on the injury list, but yesterday had surgery to find a solution to the knee trouble that has dogged him all season.

Barron has not kicked a competitive ball this campaign after picking up a knee injury in pre-season.

Barron has seen Middlesbrough defender Steve Baker arrive on loan to take his normal role in the heart of the back line in the last two games and admitted: "He's done very well.

"There was a bit of pressure on him when he first came but he has settled in well.

"He will be happy having Gary Strodder and Chris Westwood along side him and I think Chris prefers it as well. He likes to be able to pick up and mark people instead of playing in the middle.

"Baker was a trainee when I was a professional at Boro. He went to Darlington last season and didn't do that well and maybe he now realises what this division is all about.

"Maybe his future is away from Boro.''

Barron is backing his teammates to continue their good form this afternoon.

"Apart from a couple of games when we conceded daft goals, we have been playing quite well.

"We've won our last two games at home and now we have to find out if we can go on another run like last season.

"Our away form has generally been better than last season and now we have had two home wins on the trot which will hopefully start us off.''

Today's game is refereed by Frazer Stretton, who last season controversially sent off Pool's Ian Clark at Halifax and Strodder at Hull