GAVIN Strachan can see the signs that Hartlepool United are getting back to normal.

Pool go to Huddersfield this afternoon and, while they have yet to click into top gear, they travel to the Galpharm Stadium on the back of a four-game unbeaten stretch.

Strachan was included in the starting line-up for the first time this season in Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Darlington.

He'd been on the bench in the four previous games this season, but was soon in the thick of things as Pool dominated the opening 30 minutes against their lower league derby rivals.

Two second-half goals from Michael Proctor secured the 3-1 victory and a place in today's second round draw and Strachan admitted: "I think the football we played in the first 30 minutes was a pleasure to be involved in. But then we maybe got bogged down a bit, got a little bit nervous, I don't know why.

"We went one up and went into a bit of a shell, when we could have been a few goals up at that point and we seemed to let them back into the game.

"We scored two late on through Michael Proctor and it was a bit of a relief when they went in.''

Strachan added: "Against Walsall we didn't start the game well and then improved in the second-half - against Darlington it was a bit the other way round, we started well and then tailed off a little.

"We've played good football in short bursts this season and the signs are there that we are warming up now and starting to play something like we know we are capable of.

"Everyone knows what a good team we are and it's up to us to start playing to our strengths more, that is getting the ball down and passing it around - that's how we have hurt teams in the last couple of seasons.

"There has been a bit of a change around at the club, so maybe we need a little bit of patience. All the boys we have brought in are real quality players and they have all brought something extra to the squad which can only be a good thing.

"Even thought we haven't clicked into top gear yet, you've got to look at it in a positive way and we came out of the Darlington game with four games unbeaten behind us.

"Huddersfield is another hard game for us, they have started the season well, but we go there with a lot of confidence and it will be the same against Scunthorpe on Monday.''

Strachan's last appearance was in the play-off final defeat in May, with the midfielder looking on in the opening games with Lee Bullock preferred as Tony Sweeney's partner.

"On a personal note, I was delighted to be involved from the start again - I enjoyed it a lot,'' he said."

* Striker Joel Porter is facing another two months on the sidelines with knee problems.