MIDDLESBROUGH favourite Tony Mowbray is in the running to become the next Hartlepool United manager.

With Colin West set to turn down the manager's job at Victoria Park and follow Chris Turner to Sheffield Wednesday, Pool are likely to be seeking a new manager in the very near future.

Almost a fortnight after Turner departed, Pool are nowhere nearer appointing the man they hope will lead them to Division Two.

And Mowbray, currently first-team coach at Ipswich, is believed to have expressed his interest in the post.

He was overlooked by the Portman Road board when it came to choosing a successor to George Burley, but the brief taste he had in control as caretaker boss has whet his appetite.

Joe Royle was appointed Ipswich manager and with Wille Donachie coming in as No. 2, Mowbray is now first-team coach.

A return to the North-East would suit Saltburn-born Mowbray, who tomorrow celebrates his 39th birthday. He spent a decade at Ayresome Park, making almost 400 appearances.

West's departure has yet to be confirmed, but uncertainy rages within Victoria Park.

Peter Beardsley, the bookies' favourite for the post, is content to stay at St James' Park and continue in his role with the Newcastle Academy, while Steve Parkin, although expressing his interest, isn't too keen on moving to Pool while the possiblity of a return to Rochdale lingers.

John Hollins has entered the race according to the bookies and the former Chelsea boss - who took over at Rochdale in a similar position 12 months ago when Parkin left for Barnsley and steered Dale to the play-offs - was in the stands at Exeter's St James' Park on November 9 to see Pool win 2-1.

West has remained a diplomatic silence over his future and Pool this week issued a vague statement, which kept fans in the dark.

However, chairman Ken Hodcroft last night revealed the process of appointing a new manager was under way - and he would follow the same route which led to Turner's selection in 1999.

"There are no shortcuts,'' he insisted. "We will use the process set out by IOR. We are in the situation of evaluating all the applicants, including Colin West.

"We have quite a few serious candidates and we have a procedure to follow in the company. It might not be how football clubs normally do things, but we are an oil company and this is how we do it.

"The fans can rest assured that we are doing the best for the club.''