Jones not for Burnley

He'd been training with the Clarets for a week and manager Owen Coyle said he wanted to have a look at him in match action. He did OK but the club didn't appear to pursue anything so it was something of a surprise to see him linked with us last week after being released by United.

We didn't consider it worth reporting at the time, knowing that Turf Moor was not where he was heading. He was already with Hartlepool and looked certain to sign for them and has done just that today.

Pools' boss Danny Wilson said: "We have monitored the situation for quite a while know and it has paid off. We have had a good few days with him, telling him in what areas we want to take the club forward.

"Potentially we have an excellent player on our books, he has a fantastic pedigree in terms of upbringing. Ritchie is another young signing who could potentially be with this club for years to come and that is what we need."