JACK Munns, the Hartlepool United attacker, is stepping up his return after surgery to remove a mouth tumour.

Signed last summer from Cheltenham, Munns has only made five National League starts and nine substitute appearances for Pools.

He is in contention to start today as Pools to go AFC Flyde after a brief outing for the reserves in the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek.

And, with the threat of relegation lingering, caretaker boss Matthew Bates insists the 24-year-old can be a big player in the final weeks of the season.

“Jack has had a mouth tumour removed and of course it’s a concern for everyone. He’s a positive character and he will have a big role to play in the coming weeks,’’ said caretaker boss Matthew Bates.

“He’s been a miss around the place, the club and the training ground. After the operation he had to spent time recovering and resting at home. He couldn’t do anything with stitches in his mouth and his character has been missed – he’s a joker and all the lads have missed having him around the place.

“He started well in pre-season and then had a knock in a game at Dunston which set him back. It’s been stop-start for him since he came here in the summer and now he’s over this problem we all hope he can get back to his best and help us.’’

Munns arrived on a free transfer last summer from Cheltenham, after he had previously helped the Robins make an instant return to the Football League following relegation.

It’s not worked out anything like that this season. He was one of the most creative players in the division two season’s ago and, if Pools are to lift themselves away from trouble, then Munns could be vital.

“Jack played for the reserves on Wednesday and he did well in the 45 minutes he played. It’s going to be a big last few weeks of the season for him and we need him back to his best,’’ added Bates.

“He’s got that bit of quality we need and I’ve told him he will have a big part to play in the next few weeks. He’s trained well since he’s been back and he will get on with it.

“Hopefully he will have a good last six weeks. I was wanting to get him involved last weekend but it was probably too soon for him and, looking back, it probably was, but he will be a good option for us now and he is in contention to start on Saturday.’’

Today’s opponents beat Aldershot 7-2 last weekend. Striker Danny Rowe – who netted when Pools lost at home to Flyde at the start of the season – bagged a 20-minute hat-trick and has 28 strikes this season.

“Fylde had a big win last week, have been in good form and last week shows it,’’ he said. “Rowe has scored a lot of goals and we have to be aware of him. He was a threat when we played them at our place early in the season and we have been working on a game plan to keep him quiet.

“But we are confident after last weekend’s performance.’’

Pools drew with Boreham Wood last weekend at Victoria Park and Bates added: “It’s about what we do, everyone can beat everyone on their day. We will try and impose our game on them and results weren’t great last two games, but the performances were good.

“Last week was big in terms of confidence for the lads. It would have been a backward step if we had conceded late on last weekend, but we kept them out and defended well.

“There’s a lot of games coming up against teams in and around us –Barrow next week– and a win this weekend could give us some breathing space.’’

Bates remains in temporary charge and admitted: “I’m enjoying it, I’ve said before that I am working with the players and they have responded well so that makes it a bit easier for everyone – proof that things are working and what’s being done in training is transferred into games.

“We are just cracking on day by day and there’s no news about anything behind the scenes. I’ve not asked the question about any takeover or the like, but I’m sure people are working as hard as they can behind the scenes to ensure something happens. Fingers crossed sooner rather than later.’’

Pools’ game with Bromley at Victoria Park has been postponed from Saturday, March 24 to Tuesday, March 27 because the opposition are in the FA Trophy semi-final.