Wednesday 16 May 2012 13:47, UK
Sunderland striker Ryan Noble feels like a vastly-improved player thanks to a loan spell with Hartlepool.
The 20-year-old scored twice in 13 appearances for Pools, both goals proving to be match-winning efforts against Yeovil and Leyton Orient. Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper has already expressed his interest in bringing Noble back to the club next term, but for now the former England youth international is focused on showing Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill what he can do. He told the Hartlepool Mail: "I think I'll go back to Sunderland a better player for my time at Hartlepool. It's just a completely different experience and you've got to adapt pretty quickly. "You're playing against boys at reserve-team level, but in League One it's men - there are some big lads. You've got to put yourself about a bit. "I spoke to a couple of the coaches (from Sunderland) and I know some have been to watch me and put reports in. That's a good thing because I want to make it at Sunderland."
