KEVIN Henderson is ready to take out his frustration on Third Division defenders.

After three months on the sidelines, Henderson returned to the Hartlepool United starting line-up on Saturday.

And although he failed to find the net in the 4-1 win over Torquay, the front-runner is confident his injury troubles are behind him.

Henderson underwent knee surgery in November and Saturday was his first start since the win at Macclesfield on October 23.

"It's been a very frustrating time for me,'' he reflected.

"I've only missed something like 12 games, but it seems to have gone on for ever.

"Ithink the adrenaline got me through on Saturday and I'll suffer for it afterwards.

"All I've had is about 15 minutes at Hull City last week and it was a bit of a surprise to get back in.

"I've been watching games and looking at Gordon Watson scoring and thinking 'how am Igoing to get back in?' "But I've got a chance because he's injured and it's up to me to make the most of it.

"The gaffer hasn't really said much to me, he's just put me in and not made a big deal about it -he's never said this is my big chance or anything like that.'' And now Henderson, who netted 19 times last season but has just one goal to his name this campaign, is now setting his sights on the leading places.

"We've got something like 17 games to play in ten weeks, so we are going to need everyone in the squad and hopefully Ican stay in the team now,'' he said.

"We are looking at the play-offs and and we have to keep picking up the points, especially with a few away games coming up.

"We need to keep scoring goals and see what comes of it and where we end up.

"Bristol Rovers on Tuesday will be a difficult game because they are a good side and then we have the two derby games at York and Darlington which are massive games.''

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