JOE GAMBLE is relishing the chance of a fresh start in English football with Hartlepool United.

The midfielder last week completed his move from Cork City and, while training schedules have been disrupted since his arrival, the 27- year-old can’t wait to get stuck in.

Boss Chris Turner admitted yesterday that Gamble wouldn’t have started last weekend’s game at Charlton if it had gone ahead.

Saturday’s game at Victoria Park is a possibility and Gamble, who has signed a contract until summer 2013, said: “I took the decision to go to England because I had to do something about my job and the League Of Ireland hasn’t been stable.

“Hartlepool were interested so I went there to train and see what it was like and I really enjoyed it.

“They offered me a contract before Christmas, it was completed last Monday, and now I’m a Hartlepool player for the next two and a half years,” said Gamble, who arrived on a free despite being valued at 150,000 euros because of the perilous nature of Cork’s financial situation.

“It’s a sad situation to leave Cork in the circumstances, I never really wanted to leave as such, but I’m really happy to move to Hartlepool.’’ After earning international honours under then-Irish boss Steve Staunton, in 2007 Gamble added: “I have to be confident in my own ability and looking forward to the challenge. I am going to train very hard, but fully dedicated.

I’ve no doubt I will do well with that sort of attitude.

“I’ve two international caps and would jump at the chance if it came again.

“I want to play regular football and do well for Hartlepool and see where that takes me.’’ And with a string of testing fixtures ahead, Gamble will get every chance to prove himself against the best the division has to offer.

“It’s a tough league and that excites me,’’ he admitted.

“We were due to play at Charlton last weekend and we have the next games are MK Dons, Norwich away, Southampton and Leeds – four were in the Premiership recently so that shows how competitive the league is.’’ Gamble has followed former Cork team-mate Denis Behan in swapping Turner’s Cross for Victoria Park and with Leon McSweeney, another former Cork midfielder at Pools, the pair have helped Gamble settle.

■ Pools youth team game against Watford at Victoria Park tomorrow night rests on a pitch inspection this morning while today’s reserve game away to Middlesbrough has already been postponed.