Midfielder Jordan Deacey may soon follow former Bradford Park Avenue team-mate Michael Duckworth to Hartlepool United after making a good impression on Pools boss Colin Cooper.

Former Middlesbrough defender and Bradford City caretaker boss Cooper was interested in Deacey in the close season, when he plucked Duckworth out of non-League.

Deacey played for the League Two club’s reserves on Wednesday night and Cooper was pleased with his display. He also complimented Avenue’s style of play, development policy and their manager, Jordan’s father John.

Cooper said: “When we brought Michael Duckworth in during pre-season, Jordan was going to Carlisle. His dad said he’d already promised Greg Abbot he’d be going there.

“John phoned me up and said the jungle drums are banging but always said if you fancied having a look at him, we’ll give you a first chance.

“John knows the way we try to play, the way we try to develop players, the way we try to make players better.

“I didn’t know Jordan before he came here but from what I have seen of him this week in training and in the reserves on Wednesday night, I like him.

“I enjoyed what I saw and I spoke to Jordan afterwards and told him that I enjoyed watching him play. I like the way he handles a football and the way he moves the ball.

“He scored and while he tired a bit in the second half, he had a real impact on the game. I have to say, I’m already thinking I’m interested.”

It is clear that Cooper feels he could work with Deacey junior, although there is a long way to go before either party moves on with a prospective deal.

Carlisle’s former manager Abbott also turned down the chance to sign Nahki Wells, so there is hope that Deacey could still make a name for himself in the full-time game.

Cooper said: “I’ll have a conversation with Jordan and John and just see what things can be developed.

“John might turn around and say ‘I can’t afford to let another Michael Duckworth leave Bradford Park Avenue.

“I don’t know the sort of financial package Jordan earns at Bradford but I know the kind of area I’d have to pitch him if he was to come here.

“So there are conversations to be had with John and Jordan to see if there is a middle ground.

“But is he someone I’ve seen and like and would love to give an opportunity to? Why not? He can handle a ball and he’s only 19 so there’s loads of room for development.

“But what I understand is that he’s not only a Bradford Park Avenue player, he’s also John’s son, so he may be very protective of Jordan.

“The one thing I know about John, he’s a good football man and his team plays in a specific way and they like to play football.

“And the huge pat on the back I give him is that the players we’ve had from Bradford Park Avenue, I don’t see out of place with the players we have here. We have seen Michael play and he can play higher.”