Jake Cassidy has returned to Hartlepool with a glowing tribute from Maidstone joint caretaker manager Simon Walton.

Cassidy is back with Pools after completing a three-month loan and looks set to line up against the Stones at Victoria Park this Saturday.

Walton rates Cassidy as the best striker of his type in the National League and hasn't given up on bringing him back to the Gallagher Stadium.

But he also believes the former Wolves man will end up in the Football League if he maintains the form he showed for Maidstone.

Walton said: "He's been brilliant. If he performs like that, he's the best No.9 in this league.

"I haven’t seen a better striker than him in this league so far this season at what he does.

"He knew he was going back a couple of weeks ago and to keep putting in the fight and desire he shows, credit to him.

"We wish him all the best but we haven’t ruled anything out. There’s still discussions ongoing but for the moment it looks like he’ll be going back.

"He got a round of applause in the dressing room for what he’s done for us because without him we would be in big trouble.

"If he goes back and carries on doing what he’s been doing here then I don’t think he’ll be playing at this level for much longer."

Walton and fellow caretaker manager Tristan Lewis have been given the nod to strengthen the squad by co-owner Terry Casey.

They need reinforcements after losing Cassidy and also winger Sean Shields, who has returned to Ebbsfleet after a month's loan.

Walton said: "We said to the lads we’ll give them a chance so we don’t all of a sudden want to go and sign four or five players because then we look silly.

"If we can’t trust them, they can’t trust us but there’s a couple we’re working on that we need with Cass going back and Shieldsy going back.

"If we give Terry the right players, players he can see will improve the team, then he’s given us the green light and he’s been as good as gold."