FOLLOWING a stop-start introduction to his Hartlepool United career, Fabian Yantorno is hoping his injury troubles are behind him.

Since arriving at Victoria Park on trial in the summer and signing a deal to stay, the Uruguayan forward has been dogged by injury.

Fully recovered from a knee problem which ruined last season, Yantorno has been affected by a hip problem since.

Now over his problems, the attacker is out to keep his spot when Peterborough visit Victoria Park today, after starting against Bradford on Tuesday night.

Pools have enjoyed back-toback wins in the last seven days, first at Plymouth last weekend, and they are desperate for a third.

With only one win at home in five Football League attempts, Yantorno and Co are out to make sure last week’s win at Plymouth doesn’t go to waste.

“Saturday is a very important game,’’ he said. “Last Saturday was very important for our confidence and we need to prepare well and hopefully we will get some points at home.

“We need to start winning at home. We are doing great away and we need to bring that to our pitch.

“We need to get the defensive side right at home, like we do away, because the supporters lift us and push us forward – that’s not a problem.’’ Tuesday’s win earned a spot in today’s northern section, quarter-final draw in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and Yantorno admitted: “It was very important to win another game and I think it was very important for a lot of the players to get some minutes on the pitch.

“We did well and played some good football and should have scored a few more goals.

“We played some very good football in the first half and just needed the last kick to score and I think we deserved to score a few more goals.

“Two goals in two games is brilliant for Leon McSweeney.

I’m very pleased for him and it’s good because it shows everyone in the squad can do well for the team.

“It’s the first two games he has started and he has scored two very important goals, which is important for all the squad.

“The goal on Saturday was brilliant and the one against Bradford was different because he showed a desire to score.

“I think that was what we needed and didn’t do in the first half.’’ Caretaker coach Mick Wadsworth and Yantorno worked together at Gretna, before the club went under.

A move to Chester last season didn’t work out because of injury and Yantorno admitted: “Mick has been good for me, he brought me here, we have had good moments at Gretna and he trusts me. I am very grateful to him.

“I am OK now. I just need more minutes in training and in games to get better.

“I don’t know about setting any targets, I go step by step.

If you think too far ahead it’s not good when you don’t get there. Now I feel OK, I think about preparing for Saturday and doing our best.

“Small steps, game by game and see where we are because it is a long season. It’s going to be tough for all, every game is important.

“The points we lost against Swindon at home, I think they will be important and we need to get more wins.

“Three points last weekend was important, now we need to think about Saturday.’’