Ryan Brobbel and Hartlepool United face long journeys to Northampton Town and Plymouth Argyle

ON LOAN STAR: Ryan Brobbel in action against Tranmere Rovers. Picture by FRANK REID

But he insists there can be “no excuses” as Pools take on Northampton Town away tonight and then make the even longer trip to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Colin Cooper’s squad make the 400-mile round-trip to Northampton as they look to build on the goalless draw with Tranmere Rovers at Victoria Park at the weekend.

They follow that with a 776-mile round trip to Home Park.

Brobbel, who joked he had never travelled that far before, knows it will be a gruelling week on the motorways but said that is part and parcel of being a professional footballer.

The 21-year-old, who is on loan from Championship neighbours Middlesbrough, said the players and staff simply have to “get on with it”.

“I’m not looking forward to the long away trips to be honest,” revealed Brobbel. “I haven’t played against Northampton before – I haven’t travelled that far!

“And then we have Plymouth on the Saturday. I am not looking forward to the journeys but you just have to get on with it.

“It is how you deal with it and we expect to travel that far because games won’t be around the corner all the time.

“You just have to get on with it and play well – there are no excuses,” added Brobbel, who has experienced a busy couple of weeks.

As well as playing for Pools he also turned out for Northern Ireland U21 last week in their European qualifier against Serbia.

That game ended in a 4-1 defeat but the winger, did though, get on the score sheet.

At the weekend it was back to his day job, playing on the wing for Pools and he is enjoying his spell at his hometown club.

His loan from Middlesbrough was recently extended for a further four weeks.

Brobbel said: “I’m really enjoying my time here, it is my hometown and just around the corner.

“I know a lot of the people who come to the matches so I have to do well otherwise they will be on my back!

“It is a lot better than playing development football though and is close to home.

“Getting 90 minutes in and a run in the team is good - I am really enjoying it.”