NICKY Deverdics admits a return to Dover could be just what he needs to kickstart his Hartlepool United career.

Since moving to Pools from Kent in the summer, the attacking midfielder has yet to find the form which made him the stand-out player in the National League last season.

He’s scored only twice for Pools and managed 15 in the last campaign. Deverdics made his return for the Whites last Saturday and admitted: "The past six months (since I've been away) has been alright, it's been what I expected. I know what it's about, I've played in the Football League before.

"I managed to get in the team, had a run of games, then I was out again and then the new manager (Dave Jones) has come in. It's football.

"The gaffer said he wanted me to go out for a month so he can see me playing. I had a couple of options but once Dover came in it was an easy decision to go."

Pools boss Jones has Matthew Bates (hamstring) a major doubt for tomorrow’s home game with Plymouth.

It will be at least a month before Deverdics is back and he revealed: "Jake Leberl (Dover assistant manager) has been on my case for weeks. I got messages regularly to see how it was going and when I found myself out of the team he asked me to let him know if there was the chance of me going anywhere else.

"When I was told I could go out for a month I spoke to him, and I turned down a couple of other clubs.

"I know most of the lads from last season so it's a perfect fit. It's not just any month on loan, it's going back to the place where I've spent the past two years."

He added: "If I play well and get called back and get into the team then that's my aim, that's my club now. But if I come here and the gaffer wants me to stay then that's not a bad situation.’’