SUNDERLAND'S Neill Collins yesterday joined the ever-growing Wearside connection at Hartlepool United.

The defender has moved to Pool on a half-season loan, after Black Cats' boss Mick McCarthy allowed the 21-year-old to move on a temporary basis.

He goes into the squad for today's trip to Doncaster.

Pool boss Martin Scott last week bemoaned the lack of cover in defence with both Micky Barron and Mark Tinkler injured and moved for Collins when McCarthy last week signed Alan Stubbs and announced he would let Collins move on loan.

"His chances may have been limited at Sunderland but he is certainly capable of playing at a higher level so we are delighted to bring him in,'' said Scott.

"We tried to get him before the season started and it didn't come off but Mick McCarthy has brought in some new players and that means he can let Neill go on loan.''

Collins joined Sunderland from Dumbarton in August last year and made 11 league appearances at the Stadium of Light.

But he remains in manager Mick McCarthy's long-term plans.

"Neill is wanted here but he's wanted when he's got more experience," said the Black Cats boss.

"I don't want him to stagnate playing in the reserves. Neill needs to be playing competitive football and if Gary Breen, Steve Caldwell and Alan Stubbs are all fit, then he's down the pecking order."

Scott, himself included, now has seven ex-Black Cats on the club's staff.

And Michael Proctor, who moved to Pool from Rotherham in the summer after spending six-and-a-half seasons on Wearside is desperate to get off the mark today.

Proctor has started both games this season and admitted: "It was a better performance on Tuesday and it was nice to get our first point after losing last Saturday.

"We did play some good football in patches against Bradford, but we know we can play better.

"I thought at Bournemouth we worked very hard and perhaps deserved more out of the game.

"It was important we got our first point on the board and now we can move on and build on it.

"I know we can play better than we did in both games, but we will continue that improvement and I'm sure come the end of the season we can be there or there about.

"Bournemouth are a good footballing side and they showed it in patches. They put us under pressure and it was up to us to stop them from doing it.''

Proctor, hoping his return to South Yorkshire today is more rewarding than his time at Millmoor, found chances hard to come by seven days ago, but went close to opening his account at the Fitness First Stadium.

"It was in the first five minutes,'' he said. "I got a good ball over from Bully (Lee Bullock) and it was a chance which I thought was in as soon as I hit it to be honest.

"Unfortunately the keeper threw himself over and pulled off a very good save.

"We scored a good goal through Bully. It was a good build-up and good contact from Lee. That showed what we are capable of and what Lee can do as well - I'm sure he will come up with a lot more this season.

"I've started the first two games which is nice. I'm obviously confident in my own ability and want to make the most of this chance.

"We've got a big squad and there will be times this season when players miss out. We've some strength in depth in the squad and I want to be playing football every week.

"I played up front with Jon Daly the other night and with Adam Boyd last Saturday.

"Jon is a different type of player, if we can knock good quality into him he can win headers and gives us a physical presence. He's different to both me and Boydy (Adam Boyd) and gives us another option.''

Proctor moved to Rotherham in January 2004 and spent last season in a team stuggling at the foot of the table.

Relegation was finally confirmed in the closing weeks of the season and the Sunderland-born 25-year-old had no hesitation in making the move to Victoria Park.

"It's nice to get back in the North-East and nice to join a club like this which is on the up,'' he admitted. "Hartlepool United is a great club and a good one to join now because it is going places.

"I've taken an interest in what has gone on here in the last few years, because there has been lots going on.

"I especially followed their progress last season in the play-offs. They went so close and it gives everyone something to build on and the aim is to go one better.

"It's a different scenario for me to last season, we are aiming at the other end of the season and we are more than capable of doing it.

"Right from day one in pre-season training the aim was clear.''

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