NINE clubs at just 25 years old is not the most perfect start to life as a professional footballer.

But for striker Paul Robinson his dwindling career has just found a new lease of life at Hartlepool United.

Back in the North-East and back in business. That is how manager Neale Cooper views the capture of his summer acquisition.

If Sunderland-born Robinson scores in front of the Victoria Park faithful against Oldham Athletic this afternoon he will have scored five goals in one season for the first time in his career - not bad considering the current campaign is less than a month old.

While playing for Blackpool, Carlisle United and Grimsby Town last season, Robinson grabbed four goals.

And that tally equalled his previous best set back in 1997-98 when, as a raw teenager, he starred for Darlington and convinced Newcastle United to splash out £250,000 for his services.

But, with his world seemingly at his feet, Robinson's career went into freefall - a £1.5m switch to Wimbledon was to prove a nightmare.

He grabbed just one goal - in the FA Cup - for the Dons and he spent five spells out on loan as the Selhurst Park club tried to reignite his struggling form.

But now Robinson - who was once chosen by Ruud Gullit to replace the dropped Alan Shearer in a much-publicised derby defeat to Sunderland - is back in his native region.

And Pool boss Cooper is convinced the skilful front-man will continue to show the eye for goal which has so far helped his new club enjoy a positive start in Nationwide League Division Two.

"He seems to be happier in this area," said the former Ross County manager. "Some people, not just players, are like that.

"If you are happier where you are then you are going to do a better job and I think Robbo has settled in well and he has scored a few goals which has got him positive again.

"He strikes me as the kind of lad who likes to be in this area and it seems the move to London did not go well.

"I can only speak for what I have witnessed and the boy is an absolute pleasure to work with - like all the lads at this club are.

"He is a great character to have around, even if he does talk rubbish a lot of the time and is as mad as a hatter.

"But he is a goalscorer and he wants to do well. He is angry with himself when he doesn't score. He is a striker after all and that is what his reaction should be."

Eifion Williams, Pool's top-scorer last season, is back in contention for a place after shrugging off a knee injury sustained against Tranmere last month.

But the Welshman faces a fight to regain his place after the return to full fitness of experienced Marco Gabbiadini.

And Cooper insists competition for places in the final third of the pitch can only help Pool's chances of striving for a respectable finish.

"Robbo and Marco could have been a bit sharper last week but they are doing well," said Cooper, who has a doubt over the fitness of defender Andrew Jordan's back injury. "To have Eifion back is a boost to the side as well.

"Eifion trained on Thursday with the rest of the lads for the first time and he will be in contention. But there are also Hendo (Kevin Henderson) and Boydy (Adam Boyd) battling for places now as well.

"But you need to have these players pushing the other two hard because it keeps everyone on their toes."

Cooper suffered his first defeat of the season at Luton Town last weekend; in contrast Oldham earned their first victory by overcoming Rushden and Diamonds.

The Latics, managed by Iain Dowie, have a question mark hanging over their Football League status.

But Pool are expecting Dowie's men to come out fighting this afternoon. Scotsman Cooper said: "Oldham have got problems but when the players go out on to the pitch I'm sure Iain will have them fired up.

"He has done a good job down there and they have got some good players.

"Hopefully they (Oldham) will be able to sort themselves out because nobody likes to see clubs go under. It's a big club and hopefully they'll be OK."

* Ex-Pool boss Mike Newell has criticised the Football League for their handling of Luton Town's transfer dealings.

Hatters manager Newell has permission to sign a goalkeeper on loan despite being under a transfer embargo while Luton remain in administration, because his squad contains less than 20 fit players.

But he also wants to replace midfielder Kevin Nicholls, who could be out for three months after a knee operation this week, and has been told he cannot do both.

He said: ''It's clear the League don't have any rules because they're just making them up one day to the next about what we can and can't do.

Read more about Hartlepool here.