WHEN it comes to delivering a reminder, Gavin Strachan has it off to a tee.

The Hartlepool United midfielder made a return to action in the last week after four months out of the first-team picture.

First he appeared as a second-half substitute in the defeat at Oldham seven days ago before making a rare start in Tuesday's draw with Swindon.

After marking his start with a goal and man-of-the-match display, the midfielder will stay in the side for today's game at Yeovil.

He said: "I was delighted to play and start the game the other day. I was pleased with the way I played at Oldham last Saturday when I came on in the second-half.

"But it was a difficult situation as we were two down and chasing the game.

"I've enjoyed playing in the games, that's where everyone wants to be, out there on the pitch.

"Everyone wants to play each game. I've been in the executive boxes eating biscuits most weeks.

"I'm a footballer and no footballer is happy if they are not playing on a Saturday and I'm no different.

"But we've a big squad, with a lot of quality players. You have to work hard and try to get back in the team.''

Pool have stuttered of late and have won just twice in their last 11 games in all competitions.

They have dropped down the League One table and sit eight points off the play-offs and five above the drop zone.

Today's opponents have edged two points and three places above Martin Scott's side and Strachan admitted three points are just what Pool need to lift them back up the table.

Strachan said: "If we could have held on and got the points on Monday it would have been a great boost, a great lift for everybody.

"But we can't win at home right now.

"We went a goal up and then got a bit edgy.

"If we could get a second goal it would have made a difference. But instead, they scored an equaliser and things got a bit edgy and nervous. It's unfortunate.

"I think scoring helped me no end.

"The position of the free-kick was a bit awkward, it was in the 'should I shoot or should I cross?' territory.

"In the end, a couple of bounces took it past the keeper. I've scored free-kicks here in the past, so people know what I can do.

"I think the celebration was just to show people I am still around! Just to make sure they haven't forgotton about me.

"Someone in the Mill House Stand shouted at me to get my hair cut because they didn't know who I was. I haven't played for a while, then returned with longer hair, so they didn't recognise me!

"One bloke said he thought I was Boydy (Adam Boyd) - was that a compliment or not? I don't know.''

Strachan left Victoria Park on a temporary basis earlier this season, moving to Stockport County on a month-long loan.

But he admitted struggling at the foot of League Two was not his cup of tea.

He said: "The last start I had for Hartlepool before last week was at Huddersfield in August.

"I went to Stockport to try to get some games and some football, but I want to play for Hartlepool.

"The reason why I went there was to get a first-team game. Without being disrespectful to that league or that club, I was thinking that I didn't really want to be there.

"I enjoy myself at Hartlepool and I don't want to go anywhere else.

"It's a great club and it's been good to me.

"I would love a run in the team now and hopefully we can start picking up some points.''

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