Darryl Flahavan has asked for time to prove himself at Crawley Town as he gets to grips with a culture shock.

Flahavan admits he is having to adapt fast to the hustle and bustle of League Two football after four years spent under the tutelage of Eddie Howe at Bournemouth.

The 36-year-old showed signs of rustiness having not played for more than a year at Morecambe on Tuesday night when he was at fault for the opening goal in Crawley’s 3-1 defeat.

That came after a promising debut in the comeback win over Luton Town last Saturday having joined on a deal until January the day before.

Flahavan believes it could take him another three games to fully get up to speed and says getting used to the contrast in styles between Crawley and Bournemouth is an added challenge.

He said: “It is tough coming in having not played for so long, especially in my position where any little mistakes get highlighted.

“I still feel I need three or four games to get up to match speed but hopefully that will come sooner rather than later. I’m going to work as hard as I can to put in some good performances.

“The football is a little bit different to what I have been used to at Bournemouth. I have never kicked so many long balls in my life before so that is something I’ll have to get used to.

“At Bournemouth it was all passing out from the back so it is a very different style of football. It is more direct, more percentage play here but I’ve got no problem with that.

“I have played in League Two before a long, long time ago so I had an idea what it would be like and I’ve obviously talked to people at Portsmouth (where he had been training since the summer) about how teams play.”

Flahavan enjoyed two promotions during his time at Bournemouth and admits he had “discussions” about staying at Dean Court following their elevation to the Premier League this season.

But the former Southend keeper decided he needed to be playing regular football at his age having made just three appearances in the last three years with the Cherries.

“I was unfortunate as I had a few injuries at Bournemouth,” said Flahavan. “We bought in some fantastic keepers at club, internationals, so when I came back it was difficult for me.

“I should probably have gone out on loan to keep ticking over but I was part of something there which was fantastic for that club. It’s fantastic club but I decided my time was up and to go on and pursue my career elsewhere.

“There was a discussion (about staying) but I knew in my head it was time to move on. Regardless of my age I want to continue and achieve things. There is no chance of me slowing down.

“I still feel I have a lot to offer but I’ve had to bide my time to get another opportunity. Fortunately for me the call came from Crawley and now my goal is to help us start climbing the table.”

Reds will be without defenders Joe McNerney and Lanre Oyebanjo and striker Gavin Tomlin due to injury while boss Mark Yates could hand former Albion striker Shamir Fenelon his first league start.

Hartlepool have not won in front of their home fans in their last seven attempts – since beating Newport 1-0 on August 18 – but have picked up four points from their last two matches.

Yates said: “They have not had a great time at home so it will be up to us to capitalise on that. But we didn’t win at home for however many games and then won two in a row so there is no danger that we will be complacent.”