NEWCASTLE United academy director John Carver believes Martin Scott 'deserves' to get the Hartlepool United job permanently - despite being in competition with the former Sunderland defender for the post.

Carver, and former boss Chris Turner, last week were linked with the vacant Pool's job after the club controversially decided to relieve Neale Cooper of his duties four days before their crunch game at Bournemouth.

Sir Bobby Robson's former number two admitted he has been unofficially approached by Pool insiders regarding his availability and, although he thinks Scott is the right man for the job, he refused to rule himself out of the running.

"I'm not hiding anything when I say I want to be a manager or a top coach in this country," said Carver.

"When a job like Hartlepool comes up, which is a great club, people are automatically going to link you with it because people know what I want.

"If it is the right club then I would consider it. What I must say about Hartlepool is that Martin Scott is in a very similar situation to what I was in. He has worked ever so hard to come through the ranks with the youth team and the reserve team, and now the first team and, he got a fantastic result at the weekend.

"If I'm being perfectly honest he deserves the job. He is a good lad and I was one of the first to send him a text message to congratulate him on getting to the play-offs last season.

"I might be talking myself out of something here but my focus is on Newcastle United at the moment. I'm the academy director and that is my priority."

Carver revealed he still harbours ambitions of managing his hometown club one day, but confessed he may have to leave United to fulfil his ambitions.

He described managing his beloved Magpies to a 3-0 victory at St James' Park over Blackburn Rovers as, 'the proudest moment of my career', after Sir Bobby Robson was dismissed at St James' Park.

Carver hoped to keep the United job on a permanent basis but chairman Freddie Shepherd decided to bring in Greame Souness as Bobby Robson's successor.

The Magpies' coach was then lined up to take over from Craig Brown at Preston North End, but the club kept faith with caretaker boss Billy Davis after he managed to turn around the club's fortunes and Carver returned to his old job at the academy.

"I have had a number of inquiries and not from just clubs in this country," revealed Carver.

"A top club from Portugal made an inquiry but you'll have to respect my decision not to tell you who that is.

"I have a great lifestyle here and I look at this as my club and I don't want to go anywhere. But, I am ambitious and I like to be stretched and tested every single day.

" I have worked with some of the best players in the world. I've worked with some uncomfortable players and had to deal with some uncomfortable situations. But, if something comes up that is right for John Carver then I'll think about it.

"It is unfair on Scotty and Stevers (Paul Stephenson), and the chairman (to talk about the job). They will have an idea what they what. I have not spoken to anyone directly at the club this season and if Martin Scott gets the job I'll be the first one on the phone to congratulate him.

Pool defender Chris Westwood, meanwhile, joined the recent chorus singing for Scott's installation as manager on a permanent basis.

Westwood believes Scott would provide the club with some much needed stability after the recent unsettling events at Victoria Park regarding Cooper's departure.

"I think it will be a step in the right direction for the club because he knows all the lads and it will be a continuation of what went before," said the 28-year-old defender.

"I know Scotty will want the job and he's all geared up for it.

"He hasn't got it twice before but I don't know what is going to happen."

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