IT would have been easy for Carl Magnay to turn his back on Hartlepool United this summer; last season was a write off in more ways than one.

An early cruciate knee ligament injury appeared to end his campaign, but he got back ahead of schedule to try and salvage something from a wreckage of a season.

Instead, for all his efforts, he couldn’t stop the slide out of the Football League.

Now he’s back, fit and firing on all cylinders. A new offer was signed, after he rejected offers from elsewhere.

It’s a fresh start for all at Victoria Park, Magnay especially.

Ahead of this afternoon’s game at St Johnstone, Magnay admitted: “I had no doubts about leaving. Hartlepool were always my priority. Last season was hugely disappointing to miss so much through injury and the club could quite easily have offered nothing for me.

“I was quite fortunate in that I had a few options, but with what happened last season I felt responsible for being relegated. It was a no-brainer for me to give the club that loyalty back which they have showed me.

“I hope it’s a good decision and the early signs are good, that we will do really well this year.’’

He added: “I missed so much last season with the injury. I rushed back a bit towards the end. The time off at the end of the season was good timing for me.

“I didn’t feel 100 per cent when I came back, probably 75-80 per cent. I was actually worried I might do it again because even though I had worked quick in coming back and done work with the staff, it was still too soon. I had to get back and do my bit.

“The time off gave us a nice period to settle down, but then I was soon back in the gym to get a head start and I felt the benefits of it against Sunderland, I felt as sharp as I have done.

“I was out a long time, so I’m pleased to be back.’’

Magnay is a strong character on the field, someone to offer leadership and nous. He was skipper for Tuesday’s game with Sunderland. It’s a role he relishes.

He added: “I was captain on Tuesday and I feel we have lacked a bit of leadership in the past. We have needed four or five men in there opposed to one or two and I feel we have it this year.

“Being captain is always an honour for me. I love the role, love trying to set standards and lead by example, but it could go to four or five players in this squad. It will be interesting to see how it goes.’’

Pools will have a look at two new trialists today in goalkeeper Matt Gould and Canadian centre-back Kosovar Sadiki.