Pool boss enthused by Lange debut

Lange played in the Champions League and Uefa Cup for Club Brugge

Hartlepool United caretaker manager Chris Turner has said he is encouraged by the debut of striker Rune Lange in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Walsall.

Lange, 31, was pressed into a premature debut as a second-half substitute and Turner said he considered the early signs to be impressive.

"People have been encouraged with his background and his performance showed what he can do," he told BBC Tees.

"I didn't want him to play this early but his experience got him through."

Lange, who has played in Europe's Champions League with Belgian side Club Brugge and won domestic titles with the club, arrived on loan from Valerenga in late January.

And Turner believes that the Norway international striker's pedigree and ability will encourage Pools to play brighter, more attack-minded football.

"He's not a guy that you bang balls up to all afternoon, although he will win his fair share of headers," he said.

"He showed what he can do for us is that you can play balls into his feet and in and around him and he'll get hold of it and he has great awareness of where his fellow players are.

"He linked up well two or three times with Joel Porter this afternoon, and I felt in the first 45 minutes [prior to Lange's introduction] we didn't have anything to threaten Walsall."