Brentford's former QPR midfielder Josh Laurent can tick a number of boxes for Hartlepool United

The 20-year-old Londoner became the second permanent transfer during the window, following the arrival of Nathan Thomas from Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee.

Laurent, at 6ft 2in, provides the potential for some height in an area where Pools lack inches.

But potential could be the key word for the player who ticks a number of boxes, but has not had a great deal of senior exposure.

He can play in a defensive or advanced central midfield role and has made several appearances at the heart of Brentford U21’s side this season.

Laurent arrived at Victoria Park yesterday and will train with his new team-mates at Maiden Castle this morning and could come into contention for a place in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Notts County.

He was a youth team player at QPR, who loaned him out to Conference side Braintree, before moving across West London to Brentford.

Laurent made his solitary Bees appearance in a 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat to Oxford United at the start of this season before making four appearances on loan at Newport County.

Pools boss Ronnie Moore has proved he has a knack for loan captures.

Despite arriving with little senior experience, Jake Gray and Adam Jackson have proven excellent signings, with Pools agreeing to keep the midfielder and defender for the rest of the season.