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Page last updated at 15:27 GMT, Friday, 23 January 2009

Turner eyes third Premier scalp

Chris Turner
Turner is happy that striker Craig Bellamy has left opponents West Ham

Hartlepool United caretaker manager Chris Turner is hopeful that his side can make it a hat-trick of top-flight scalps against West Ham on Saturday.

Pools have already beaten West Brom in the League Cup and Stoke in the last round of the FA Cup and Turner wants to extend that record against the Hammers.

"We want a blood, guts and thunder cup tie," he told BBC Tees.

"It'll be a tougher challenge but a better football game and we've got to be ready for them."

Pools set themselves up for the visit of Gianfranco Zola's Hammers with a 2-0 win against Northampton Town a week ago, a game in which injury-hit striker Joel Porter netted twice.

And Turner admitted the presence of the Australian striker is imperative to their hopes and is keen for Porter to feature at Victoria Park on Saturday.

"He'll play on Saturday - there's no danger of that but he'll not train for the majority of the week," he said.

"But Joel's Joel, he'll raise his game for the match on Saturday I'm sure."

One boost for Turner and his players at the other end has come in the departure of striker Craig Bellamy to Manchester City for �14m.

Bellamy, 29, had scored five goals for the Hammers, making him second top scorer for the season but Turner is also wary of the danger that Carlton Cole and Italian striker David Di Michele pose to his side.

"I must confess we're quite pleased about because, despite the publicity he brings with him, he is an exceptional player.

"He causes any defences problems, let alone our defence so we're pleased he's not playing but I watched West Ham last Sunday and their two front lads caused Fulham plenty of problems.

"We've still got a massive job on our hands."

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see also
Hartlepool v West Ham
22 Jan 09 |  FA Cup
Clark anticipates FA Cup thriller
21 Jan 09 |  Hartlepool
Porter keen to figure in cup tie
20 Jan 09 |  Hartlepool
Turner fears over Porter fitness
13 Jan 09 |  Hartlepool


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