MATTHEW BATES will sit down with his Hartlepool United players early next week to discuss their futures.

The new boss, appointed last Friday, was back at Victoria Park yesterday after a short holiday.

And, while his plans have been drawn up with director of football Craig Hignett over who he wants to keep next season, the players have not yet been told.

The retained list has to be announced under FA rules by next Thursday, and Pools will make their decisions public shortly before the deadline.

Bates met the press yesterday to reveal his plans and hopes after being confirmed as the club’s tenth permanent boss in just eight years.

Pools are a little behind in terms of planning, such has been the level of uncertainty behind the scenes.

Under the recent takeover by Raj Singh, things are taking place behind the scenes as he and the staff try and clear up the mess of the last two regimes.

Bates said: “There’s been decisions made and we have done that between us, with the players spoken to Monday or Tuesday and the retained list announced towards the end of next week.

“The contract was signed last Friday, I’ve had three days away on holiday and we need to speak to the players. There may be players I want to keep who want to leave and vice versa, but it’s important to speak to them first.’’

He added: “Pre-season return date is set and we are trying to arrange five pre-season friendlies. In the past we have had too many games, forgetting about the workload in pre-season. We don’t want to cram the games with a smaller squad which we will be working on throughout the summer.

“We will have local games, let’s see if we can get a couple of the bigger local teams to the Vic to get some money in as well.’’

Bates led Pools to five wins in the final 13 games of last season. The decision to appoint him came after victory at Tranmere on the final day of the season.

“It was no secret I wanted the job, I said at the time I did all I could,’’ he admitted. “I had no inclination which way it would go. The club has shown its belief in me and I need to repay that faith now.

“We have spoke about stability and things behind the scenes are being cleared up. The remit from myself is to get a squad out on the pitch which the fans can be proud of.

“It will be a hard summer, a lot of wheeling and dealing and a task I am confident I can do to the best of my ability.

“I wish pre-season was here now as I’m anxious to get things sorted yesterday, but things take time and we are looking at June when the transfer window opens, maybe into pre-season.

“We will be patient in getting the right deals in and out of the club.’’

Defender Carl Magnay won the club’s goal of the season award, being presented with the Michael Maidens Award by Bates yesterday.

Magnay is expected to remain at the club next season, while a number of others are already contracted which could limit the scope of change.

Michael Woods is out of contract and reported to be interesting Salford City, newly promoted to the National League.

Hignett has already put the wheels in motion to recruit potential signings and he admitted: “It’s been hectic. I think that until you get in the club you don’t know the extent of stuff – and day by day we are turning over stones and discovering stuff.

“It’s been an eye-opener, but very enjoyable at the same time.

“The club needs a massive overhaul, a restructure from top to bottom. It’s going to be a big job and for too long people have took the club for granted, lined their own pockets and not done it for the good of the club.

“We will get it on a sound footing, be ran in the right manner and decisions will be made for the good of the club and not for the good of my pocket, your pocket or their pocket.’’

Jack Baldwin, the former Pools’ centre-half, has been transfer listed by Peterborough. Pools have a sell-on clause from his move there in 2014.

Ex-Pools striker Luke James, who has been on loan at Barrow this season, has been made available by Forest Green Rovers.

And Scott Fenwick, who left Pools two years ago and started last season at Darlington, is available. He spent last season in Malta and ended it at Chelmsford City, where his 12 goals in 10 games helped the club into the play-offs in National League South.