National League title winner Jack Munns wants big Hartlepool United impact

The forward has entered the field on three of the last four league matches, including a super second-half show at Solihull Moors, where he helped Pools to another vital away win.

Munns faces an anxious wait to see whether he will be in the starting XI for Saturday’s visit of fourth-placed Sutton United to Victoria Park.

The 23-year-old was on from the off in last weekend’s come-from-behind FA Cup victory at South Shields, though he was brought off just before the mid-point of the second half.

Munns will be keeping his fingers crossed that he has done enough to retain his spot.

The East Londoner has his sights on striking National League gold again for the second time in three seasons.

Munns was a major part of Cheltenham’s championship-winning side in 2015-16 ,with eight goals and assists into double figures.

“It was a great season for all of us involved and we did win the league,” Munns told SportMail. “I’d like to think I can take the experience from that title-winning season and help the lads here.

“We have lads who’ve been there and done it, and I’d like to do my bit.

“I’m a young man in the side, I’m only 23, but I do have the experience in this league and hope that can help here.”

Munns is not the tallest of fellas, standing 5ft 5½in, and he rather goes against the grain for those who say you have to be six-footer in the National League – or any league these days.

Munns, once at the Academy of Tottenham, is pragmatic when talking ‘size’, saying there may be games he is forced to sit out but says what he makes up for in stature he makes up for in heart.

“I think that’s a reason why I may have to keep my head a little bit [if left out of the side],” he said.

“There might be certain games that don’t suit myself.

“But there are going to be matches when the ball is on the floor, when I can make an impact. On the other side of it, I have got to be able to say to the gaffer that I can mix it.

“Whether your are 5ft 4 or 6ft 4 you have to be able to get stuck in.

“League Two is the same.”

And the EFL is where Munns – and Pools – would love to be and a win on Saturday against former leaders Sutton would help in that aim.

The U’s are five points above Pools and a home win would get Craig Harrison’s team ever closer to the play-offs.

Pools are getting there amd Munns says solidity at the back and a positive outlook going forward can keep up the club’s momentum.

“We have to be organised at the back, make as few mistakes as we can and be a bit more clinical in front of goal – I still think we need to work on that,” he said.

“We need to be a bit more positive and keep taking the game to these sides

“What we have in our changing room is enough to beat most sides in this league.”