DAVE JONES, the experienced former Cardiff and Southampton boss, has been appointed Hartlepool United manager.

Pools dumped Craig Hignett on Sunday following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Crawley.

And Jones, 60, who has not worked as manager since leaving Sheffield Wednesday three years ago, but has been working as a football consultant, was Pools’ preferred choice.

Jones has been in Hartlepool to speak to the club this evening, and an announcement has followed, with Jones named ahead of Saturday’s home game with Stevenage. He will take charge from Monday, with a press conferennce held at the club on Thursday to offically unveil him. 

Jones was always the odds-on favourite at the top of the betting list with the bookmakers following Hignett’s departure. He was as short as 1/12 on Wednesday morning. 

Sam Collins, the club’s under-21 coach, has been taking caretaker charge this week and has prepared the team for the weekend.

Jones has named Kevin Cooper, a former Cardiff midfielder and his assistant during his time in South Wales, as his right-hand man.

A club statement, which didn't reveal length of contract, read: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dave Jones as our new first team manager.

"Chairman Gary Coxall had promised supporters that the search for Craig Hignett’s successor would be swift and the appointment of Jones not only delivers on that but also represents a real coup for the Football Club.''