Middlesbrough striker Tyrone O'Neil has today joined Hartlepool United on loan until the end of December, report the club's official website. 

The 19-year-old has moved to the fellow North East club for the next month to help the National League side in their push for promotion.

Hartlepool currently sit ninth in the table, just outside the play-off places, and face Gillingham in the FA Cup on Saturday a match in which O'Neil could make his debut.

The striker appeared for Boro in the Checkatrade Trophy earlier this season and has also featured regularly for the club's reserve side.

Tony Pulis's first team have experienced a solid opening 16 matches of the season and currently sit in fourth place on 28 points, just two behind current leaders Leeds United.

They boast the best defensive record in the division as well letting just eight goals past them all season.

Boro welcome Wigan Athletic to the Riverside on Saturday as they look to push further up the table and maybe even into top-spot.

The verdict 

This makes sense and I am surprised it is just for a month.

O'Neil is clearly a very promising player but he is not going to break into the Boro squad ahead of Assombalonga, Gestede, Fletcher, Braithwaite or Hugill any time soon.

I fully expect the deal to be extended.