CHRIS Turner may be in the driving seat in the race to become the next manager of Hartlepool United, but it hasn’t stopped other parties expressing their interest.

Turner, the club’s director of sport, will be in temporary command for Friday’s League One game with Southend after Monday’s sacking of Danny Wilson.

Manager at Victoria Park from 1999 to 2002, Turner has plenty of support from the top and is favourite for the job.

But Neil McDonald, the former Carlisle boss who is now head coach at Leeds United, and Graeme Jones are both keen on the position.

Jones, Gateshead-born, is right-hand man to Swansea boss Roberto Martinez.

Peter Beardsley has once again been linked with the post; his friendship with chairman Ken Hodcroft ensures his name is always in the frame despite being an unlikely option.

Tyneside-born McDonald moved into management at Carlisle in June 2006, and despite leading the club to eighth in League One, he was sacked 13 months later.

Whoever is in the frame for the position – and IOR and Hodcroft aren’t the sort to leak any names or give any hints regarding their options – the chairman has a simple way of doing things.

“It is company policy that if you want a job with us then you apply in person,’’ admitted Hodcroft after the appointment of Neale Cooper.

“I know it’s not the norm in football, but if you want to work for us then don’t send your agents.’’ And he later added: “We have a criteria to stick to when we make an appointment – we look for someone fresh and new.

“Mike Newell replaced Chris in 2002 and Mike had helped with reserve team football and in other positions and wanted the next step up. He needed us and we needed his keenness to do well.

“Neale Cooper didn’t know the English managerial game when he came to us in 2003, we could mould him into our ways. Martin Scott had been trained up from youth team coach over the years. He was the ideal candidate to move up in 2005 and it was our first attempt at a home-grown manager.

“Prior to the appointment of Danny Wilson we had the same problem as in 1999 – do we go for an old head or a younger manager? However, the club had changed – we also had experience of running a football club.’’ ■ James Brown has undergone reconstructive surgery on his right knee. The striker is out for the season after suffering a ruptured ligament in last month’s draw with Bristol Rovers.

■ A young Pools reserve side, under the command of Ian Butterworth, yesterday won 2-1 at Bradford City with goals from Marc Ellison and Lee Mason.