Hartlepool United star Brad Walker plays against Jack Grealish as Wolves lose U21 derby 3-2 to Aston Villa

Manager Ronnie Moore congratulates Brad Walker Hartlepool United during their 2-1 away victory over Yeovil Town. Picture by Pinnacle Photo Agency

The Hartlepool United midfielder played a trial game for Wolves last night - the second occasion he has spent time with the Sky Bet Championship club.

Walker played the entire 90 minutes for Wolves U21 who were beaten 3-2 by Black Country derby rivals Aston Villa at Telford.

The 20-year-old spent a week training with Wolves last month and is understood to have impressed.

And the Molineux club asked Pools if they could take another look at him and Pools said yes.

Walker was in the famous gold and black colours last night and came up against a Villa side led by Jack Grealish.

The Pools star shone in the centre of the park, playing some great passes and coming close to a second-half goal when he skipped past two players before driving a left-footed shot just past the post.

And Walker looked like helping Wolves to a 2-2 draw only for Jerell Sellars to strike a last-gasp winner at the New Bucks Head.

It will be intriguing to see if Walker spends any more days this week with Wolves.

Walker has been out of favour at Victoria Park this season.

He was outstanding in pre-season when he was looking back to his best, but picked up an injury on the eve of the campaign and then could not dislodge Ronnie Moore’s triumverite of Carl Magnay, Michael Woods and Nicky Featherstone.

Walker seemingly caught the attention of Wolves’ boss Kenny Jackett two seasons ago, when he came to the fore at Victoria Park under Colin Cooper and has remained on his radar.

A Wolves statement yesterday read that Walker was “back for a second stint training at Compton Park with Hartlepool’s permission.”

Walker was a mainstay in the side in 2013/14, making 42 appearances under Cooper.

He won the club’s goal of the season award and was called up to train with England Under-18s that season – while also being named Football League Apprentice of the Year.

But last season he struggled and, when Moore took over 12 months ago next week, failed to make much impression.

He did, however, score two valuable goals as Pools pulled off the Great Escape.

This campaign has been a stuttering one, with one goal to his name, albeit an important one, the late winner at Yeovil Town having come off the bench.