Hello and welcome to my latest Blog here on the Official Website. It's been a while since my last one but I thought I'd give you a catch up on the latest news.

I'm really pleased to say that I have returned to light training earlier today which is great for me because it was frustrating to have to sit out for two or three weeks. Thankfully the shoulder problem wasn't as bad as one I had previously but it was just very weak around the area and it needed rest and some strengthening work.

I have tried to come back as early as I can but could join in well today and knew there'd be no real contact in the session we were doing. I'll do some more light work early next week and hopefully by Thursday or Friday I can be going hell for leather again.

With all the games coming up I know that players will be tired but hopefully we can avoid picking up too many injuries. At the same time, it may be that Mick decides to change the team from time to time and hopefully that will allow me the chance to come back in and play my part and more importantly get some goals as we head in to the New Year.

It was great that the lads managed to come through the FA Cup tie at Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night. It was always likely to be a tough tie and with the incident in the first game the second was always going to have a little bit of edge. But in all honesty I think the referee made it much more of an incident than it was because there is no way Ritchie went in on the keeper with any malice. Although the keeper went to hospital we were all pleased the injury wasn't as serious as it was first feared.

This weekend at Colchester will be a different kind of test, and also different from the challenge we had against them last season with some players moving on in the summer. However, they've enjoyed a good start and we know it will be tough - hopefully we can take confidence from the way we performed against them towards the end of last season and get a clean sheet on Saturday and build from there.

I'm sure you've all seen by now that there are a few moustaches flying around the squad - the lads are growing them to raise money and awareness for men's health and it's a great cause so hopefully they'll be able to bring in a lot of cash to donate.

I think what I'll do is try and remember all the lads who are growing one and try and categorise them…

First off, you have to say that Boydy is right up there because he's got a really dark tash going on and it's quite bushy too! Evan is up there for his effort and being quite dark haired he was always going to have a chance. Leon's is also pretty decent so I think those three have to be the top of the list.

The awards for best attempts must go to Aussie, who is fair-haired but has managed to grow a quite remarkable effort. Larks' is also doing ok, though a few of us are sure he's had to start growing his six months ago. Monks is having a go but it's not really the best and Ritchie Humphreys is trying but it's not up to much in all honesty!

I think the most surprising tashes are from Fabian Yantorno who has got quite an impressive one going on, and also Micky Barron who is now comparing himself to famous film stars from the 1940s and 1950s!

Without doubt the most ridiculous is being grown by Physio James Haycock, who has some kind of goatee (or as it's pronounced at training 'goatay') on his face, it's absolutely bizarre. And I think in with that is the one being grown by Mark in the media department which is also a ridiculous effort!

It's been good banter though and it's kept us smiling at training as well being for a good and worthy cause.

Right, so a couple of questions then…

Hello Denis - how ya doin?! I'd just like to say to you to keep your head up. I think you've got all the capabilities to be good asset to Pools by playing to your strengths, using controlled aggression and your "rocket" shots (as long as they're on target!).

You've got to battle away and the supporters will get right behind you - I'd love it if you Boydy and Browny could get a hat-trick and then I'd get you a mention on the Three Legends show on Real Radio!

Also, Joe Gamble looks a great pro - tell him to get stuck in! Plus, McSweeney has got the capabilities if he believes in himself and runs at defenders positively and quickly.

By the way, has Sweeney had some sort of injection? Because he's playing the way he used to!!

Finally, I've been to Ireland a few times and wondered if you'd ever been to Johnny Foxes in the mountains?
Bert Taylor via email

Haha, Johnny Foxes is one of the highest pubs, if not the highest, in Ireland isn't it? I've never been to it - I think it's one of the only ones I haven't been to! Being from Cork area though, we wouldn't head up to Dublin for a night out and certainly not in to the mountains!

Thanks for your kind words, it's nice to know there are people out there who like the way I play. Hopefully now I've got this injury out of the way I can get back in the team and get that hat-trick you're on about! I've heard you on the radio a few times in the past and I can tell you're a bit of a character!

I hope I can return to the form I showed when I first came to the Club but there have been a few niggly injuries in my way that have stopped my progression. Now I want to get back to where I was and get better.

As for Joe and Leon, well they're my buddies and I know from Cork what good players they are. Leon is very dangerous running at players and I think he's deserved the plaudits he's received in recent weeks. Joe too has been doing really well but you'd expect that from someone who has played at international level. If only we could get a few more potatoes down his neck to help him bulk up a bit!

Sweens has been in great form this year and I think that is down to him being given the freedom to roam up front. With the likes of Paul Murray, Joe Gamble and Gary Liddle behind him he has that licence to go forward and he's proving very effective at it by scoring goals and creating chances.

I think all footballers should wear black boots. But what has been your fave colour and would you wear pink like Boydy?
Hangus99 via Twitter

Ha, no I couldn't be brave enough to wear pink! Only Boydy could pull that off and I think that's down to the fact that he doesn't care what people think - he just wears them because he wants to. It's actually hard to find black boots these days really so I've not gone too mad so far. I've worn white boots when we wear the orange kit and blue to go with our home kit but that's as far as I'll go. I don't think anything else would really suit me and my game at the moment!

Anyway, that was a long one today! I hope you've enjoyed the read and I'll be back soon so send in any questions you have to media@hartlepoolunited.co.uk

Denis