MARTIN SCOTT insists Hartlepool United's future is shaping up well.

Scott, who has progressed from running the youth team to first team boss at Victoria Park in five years, was made manager seven days ago.

Defender Neil Wilkinson last week signed his first professional contract and Scott insists the 19-year-old is just one of many who have a chance of making their mark in the first-team next season.

Carl Jones, James Brown, Andy Appleby and James Winter have all been given their first professional contracts, along with Wilkinson and Steven Istead.

Scott took charge of Pool's youthful reserve side last season and he expects Steve Agnew, his newly-appointed right hand man, to continue the work next season.

"I told the players at the end of the season that it had been a pleasure working with them,'' said Scott.

"The reserve side was mainly been made up of young players and the odd pro. To perform on a regular basis like they have done has been incredible.

"It shows what an exciting crop of good, young players we have at the club. I said to Stevo (Paul Stephenson) I get excited watching them. They do all the right things, they are willing to learn, to work hard for each other and are full of enthusiasm.

"Of course they will make mistakes, just like any young kids will, but it's about learning from it.

"They play neat football, into feet. We like to play the game the right way throughout the club, we like to bring players through in the right manner.''

And Scott paid tribute to the youth team manager Stephenson for schooling the teenagers in the right manner, and believes he has a big role to play as part of his managerial team. Scott and Stephenson formed a temporary management team at the end of last season and led Pool to the play-off final.

He said: "Full credit to Stevo because he likes to play the game that way at youth level as well.

"He wants the ball down and every training session at the club includes passing drills and you can see the rewards.''

* Pool have been linked with a move for former Middlesbrough defender Jason Gavin who was at Shamrock Rovers.

Cardiff midfielder Lee Bullock, who is interesting Pool and Gillingham, has held talks with Doncaster Rovers.

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