WHILE the search for the new Hartlepool United manager goes on, Sam Collins will today take training.

Pools take on Stevenage at the Northern Gas and Power Stadium on Saturday, with chairman Gary Coxall conducting interviews and he goes through the process of finding a replacement for Craig Hignett.

He was sacked on Sunday following back to back 1-0 defeats, which have left Pools fearing an all-too-familiar fight against relegation in League Two.

Collins will also conduct the club’s weekly press conference – brought forward 24 hours from its normal Thursday slot.

He is among the contenders for the post, and has some popularity within the squad, but no decision has yet to be made on who will get the job permanently.

This is Collins’ third spell as caretaker boss, the others coming following the dismissals of Colin Cooper (2014) and Paul Murray (2015). He has also been acting as assistant manager following the departure of Curtis Fleming to QPR last month and was No 2 to Ronnie Moore during his spell in charge.

Dave Jones remains the bookies’ favourite for the post, with the experienced boss keen to get back into football after a three-year hiatus following his exit from Sheffield Wednesday.

Coxall started interviewing candidates on Monday. Former Middlesbrough and Hull striker Dean Windass is among those to have applied, while Alex Rae, a one-time Sunderland midfielder and former coach at MK Dons and boss at St Mirren is also interested.

Pools have sold two players this month, with Toto Nsiala going to Shrewsbury and Jake Carroll signing for Cambridge.

Former boss Hignett admitted that more players could leave and midfielder Nicky Featherstone is attracting interest.

Bradford and Northampton from League One, and League Two leaders Doncaster Rovers are interested in the Hull-based playmaker, who is under contract at Pools for another 18 months.

Meanwhile, Nathan Thomas has won the club’s goal of the year award for 2016. His sublime chip to cap off the 3-0 win at Grimsby in October topped the votes.