GAVIN STRACHAN is making the most of his chance at Hartlepool United; a call from Neale Cooper saved him from the dole office and an uneasy future.

Midfielder Strachan has impressed since signing a contract at Victoria Park on the eve of the new season, netting a free kick on the opening day of the new campaign and slotting home the winning penalty at Sheffield Wednesday days later in the Carling Cup.

Yet it could have been so different for the 24-year old son of Southampton boss Gordon, a former Aberdeen teammate of Pool boss Cooper.

"I played four games for Sheffield Wednesday pre-season and Chris Turner was interested in me last season as well,'' he recalled.

"I played against Hartlepool as well, but nothing came of it.

"If I'm honest it was a choice between Robbie Mustoe and I - he has played hundreds of Premiership games and I cannot compete with that.''

He added: "Just before I came to Hartlepool I was without a job, not knowing where I was going to go.

"There's so many footballers without a club, it's a nightmare situation to be in, it really is.

"Before I got the call from Hartlepool I was in the dole office. I had an appointment for an interview, then the next day I was playing on trial against Newcastle!

"I was up against some of the best players in the country and it was unbelievable.''

Striker Eifion Williams could be available for Saturday's home game with Oldham after returning to training following knee trouble.

With no reserve game this week and Cooper unable to fix up a practice game because the North-East's big three are short on numbers due to international calls, Williams and new signing Ryan McCann will today take part in a full scale practice game.

Pool youth team keeper Kevin Duncan has gone on loan to Spennymoor.

Meanwhile, it looks unlikely that former Pool striker Gordon Watson will be signing for Sheffield Wednesday. He spent pre-season at Hillsborough, but on the day he was due to sign he suffered a knee injury in training.

And, after Turner yesterday signed Frenchman Nsungu Ndumbu and agreed a £150,000 fee for Adam Proudlock, he said: "We can't wait forever for Gordon.''

Read more about Hartlepool here.