Jamie McCunnie is back in the frame for the First Team and is delighted to have returned to contention.

The right back missed out on a starting berth in the first four games of the new campaign but has looked solid since returning for the game against West Brom at The Vic.

"It was obviously disappointing after playing lots of pre season not to get the nod in the first couple of games but it just shows you how things can change," he told hartlepoolunited.co.uk.

"I think I have come in a done OK and hopefully now I can hold onto my place."

McCunnie reveals through that his return to the team is something of a bittersweet moment as it came at the expense of an injured team mate,

"You never know the way the boys started the season, it looked like it could have been a while until I got back in but then Willie (Boland) got injured and that changed a few things.

"You have to wait for your chance sometimes and when it comes, it is more important that you take it.

"It's a strange situation because you can be waiting for your chance but you don't want the boys getting beat so you get back in and you also really don't want to see your team mate getting injured."

With just 24 professionals currently on the books at The Vic, McCunnie insists there are benefits to having a tight-knit squad,

"One of the plus-points of having such a small squad is that you get behind each other and there aren't a lot of other faces for the Manager to choose from.

"Unless the Gaffer brings in some loan signings, this is going to be it for the season.

"We do have one of the smaller squads in this league but we can definitely take that and work it to our own advantage."

Going into Saturday's game at Millwall and McCunnie is hoping that Pools recent form will continue,

"We played well against West Brom and then at Peterborough we didn't play that well but still got the win.

"A lot of games last season, we would have lost that game by 3 or 4 but I think we look more determined to keep a clean sheet and not to go behind.

"Against Leicester, we played really well in the first half but as soon as we lost that goal we didn't really look like getting back into it and that is not like us - normally we would be creating chances.

"We have had a lot of games recently and maybe that took its toll on the day.

"Last season we didn't win as many away games as we should have - there were a so many times we came away knowing that we'd played well but been hit with a sucker punch.

"So it was good to be under the cosh a bit at Peterborough but to get the goal and go ahead. Once we got that goal, we were never going to lose that game."

Danny Wilson's players know they will be in for a tough game at The New Den on Saturday,

"Millwall was one of the only games we won last season and I didn't even play - maybe that was the reason we won!

"The boys said it was tough there last year and it's quite an intimidating place to go from what I have heard.

"We know it's going to be another tough game for us but if you play the way we can, there is no reason why we can't take the three points.

"We saw the other night against Leicester City, they are tipped to win the league this year and in the first half of the game, we played well and maybe could have had a goal or two.

"So we go to Millwall in a positive frame of mind and looking to continue our good form."

When he first joined Pools, McCunnie was the first to admit that his knowledge of English geography left a little to be desired but, with a season's worth of experience behind him, he admits travelling the country is not that bad,

"I know Millwall is London way!" he laughed.

"It's not too bad, I got told about the travelling before I joined but once you get a DVD on or have a couple of games of cards, read a book or the paper and have a bit of banter with the lads, the time flies."