Magnus Okuonghae returns to one of his old clubs when Maidstone make the long trip to Hartlepool.

Okuonghae spent a month on loan at Pools two years ago while a Luton player and knows how challenging the Victoria Ground can be for away teams.

The journey was always brought up in team-talks and while Maidstone face a 300-mile coach ride for Saturday's game, they’re travelling up today.

Okuonghae, 31, said: “It’s tough for away teams because it’s so far from most places.

“I know when I was there, it was always a case of ‘listen, they’ve had a long journey, they’ll be stiff, they’ll be tired, get into them first 20 minutes’.

“Of course it’s going to be tough but luckily we’re at a club that does things properly and we’ll travel up on the Friday, which will give us the greatest chance possible of getting a result.

“The way we’re playing and the confidence we have, I think we can go there and get something.

“They’re passionate fans when it’s going well and very angry when it’s not. Hopefully we can make them angry!”

Okuonghae never imagined Hartlepool falling out of the Football League.

They were many people’s pre-season tip to make an instant return but sit fourth-bottom after seven games.

Okuonghae said: “It’s surprising to see them in non-league.

“All my memories of playing against Hartlepool were in League 1 while I was at Colchester.

“It’s tough but it’s football. They’re not the only giants to end up in this league - it seems to happen quite often these days - but I am surprised.

“I’ve played in this league and the league above, and it’s a tough one.

“The teams you expect to do well are not always the teams that go and light up the league.

“I think a team like us who people probably look at and go ‘oh Maidstone, nice little club’, could sneak under the radar.

“As far as that’s concerned I’ll concentrate on us and I think we’ve got a chance of doing something special if we can keep everyone fit and firing.”

Okuonghae has partnered former Colchester team-mate Alex Wynter since returning from injury, with QPR loanee Alex Finney waiting in the wings.

The Stones defender is backing Finney and Wynter for big things and also Kevin Lokko, the man they replaced.

Okuonghae said: “I’m a fan of the three of them. They’re young, they’ve got a lot of potential.

“It’s not an easy position to play at that age and obviously they need all the help they can get but I think they can look after themselves.

“They’re all still learning but I think the three of them will have good careers.”