IT'S been a slow, drawn out season so far for Andy Monkhouse. And now the Hartlepool United winger would love to take his frustrations out on his home club.

Leeds born and raised, Monkhouse still lives in the city. Today he is there in a Hartlepool United shirt as League One's form teams meet at Elland Road.

Monkhouse made his first start in last week's win over Oldham at Victoria Park after finally completing a five-game suspension carried over from last season.

But he created one goal and won a penalty for another as Pools thumped Oldham 4-1 to prove they mean business this season.

Taking points from the club which has dropped from the semi-finals of the European Cup in 2001 to the third tier of English football in 2007 would prove it further.

"I'm from Leeds and I live there so it's a big game for me personally and I know Wisey and Gus (Poyet) as well,'' admitted the wide man, who has lost just twice in 27 starts for Pools since signing last November.

"They took me to Swindon last year and I've got a lot of respect for them both. If they had someone watching us last week I'm sure they will have gone back knowing they will have a game on their hands against us.''

Leeds are currently on -3 points, with the chance to hit zero points in sight, and Monkhouse added: "They have a target and I'm sure there will be a big crowd there. But we are a good team ourselves, as we proved against Oldham, so we will look forward to it.

"We are full of confidence and hopefully we'll get a result. It's not long since Leeds were up there at the top and a lot of people talk about their downfall and what has gone wrong there. I'm not bothered about all that really, it's a game in the same division we are in.

"I'm sure Wisey has told them they are in this division and have to get out of it.

"They've gone about it the right way so far. All we are concerned with is going there and getting the right result.

"When I came here last season a lot of our away games were like home games for us with the amount of fans we took to games. Our support has been brilliant and who doesn't want to play in front of 25 or 30,000 every week?''

Monkhouse revealed he was once a regular at Elland Road - although not as a fan.

"I was a ballboy there as a kid so I was there when they used to play the Liverpools and Manchester Uniteds,'' recalled the Manchester United supporter.

"I used to be a schoolboy at Elland Road until I was 16, I was with a few of the lads who made it and I ended up at Rotherham.

"I've got a good few tickets on order for friends and family, a few of the lads I know are buying tickets for the game so I'm sure they will be looking out for me! All we are concerned with is going there and getting three points.

"We've started the season well and want to continue it.''

Monkhouse's extended suspension came after being sent off in the penultimate game of last season.

The ban, summer included, lasted five games and covered 18 weeks. Monkhouse was a pepherial figure in pre-season, as Wilson planned for the start of the campaign without his left winger.

And Monkhouse admitted: "A few times last week I was blowing a bit because I've not played much.

"The more I play the better player I will be for it.

"It's been a long time since I played and was involved. It was a long summer because I had the suspension hanging over.

"I had to sit out the first games of the season which wasn't nice, but there wasn't much I could do about it. I'm not a good spectator, like any footballer I just want to play games.

"There's a lot of competition for places in the squad and it's down to the gaffer.

"The good thing is that if you are not on top of your game then there are other players who will come in and take your place, that's especially the case at this club.''