A MATTER of hours into his new job, and Craig Harrison’s thoughts are turning to his squad.

Appointed Hartlepool United boss on Friday evening, Harrison is busy weighing up what he already has at his disposal, while looking at who he can bring in.

Following five years of success at TNS in the League of Wales, Harrison is taking over a club, which he admits has just hit an all-time low with relegation from the Football League.

He wants to get them back there as soon as possible. The same quick mantra applies to getting his squad in place for next season.

"I'd like to get it done as soon as possible - we'll be working on it this week without a shadow of a doubt,’’ he said of the option of landing new players.

"I've had conversations since my appointment and I've spoken to seven or eight players and made in-roads to bring people in and I'll follow them up this week.

"We still have four weeks left until we are back for pre-season, nine weeks before the start of the season.

"It's something I'd like to get done as soon as possible.

"I'd love to have everyone here for the first day of pre-season, it's pretty key, but if quality pops up along the way at other times you sometimes have to accept that and add them later on."

Pools have offered new deals to Carl Magnay, Rhys Oates and Brad Walker and the Pools boss will be speaking to the trio and other players this week to introduce himself and discuss their futures.

He added: "It's key we have all the experience and knowledge we can get to get out of the division as soon as possible.

"We all have to go in one direction, everyone has to know what the plan is, what the target is and get there as quickly as we possibly can."

Harrison admits his knowledge of the squad is limited, but is already putting the hours in watching DVDs of games and players to get clued up on everyone.

There’s also the issue of his backroom team and who he will be working alongside. He’s open to ideas in the early stages of his appointment.

Harrison could turn to Matthew Bates, the defender who was at Middlesbrough as a young prospect when Harrison was turning out for the first-team in the late 1990s.

“Backroom staff there’s plans in place, people to speak to who I would possibly like to bring in,’’ he admitted. “Look at the staff here now and I have contacts with them – Matthew and Stuart (Parnaby) – and I want to speak to them.

“I was impressed with what they (the temporary management team) did at the end of the season and they were so close to pulling it off. Newport scored late and if it wasn’t for that … it’s fine margins. One minute of football defined a really disappointing season.

“Both Matthew and Stuart are real football guys and I’m sure they will be valuable to this club.’’

Harrison was keen to emphasise this is a new start at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium.

The last appointment proved a disaster on and off the pitch, but Harrison aims to bring a fresh outlook around the club.

“What went on last season isn’t for me, but getting the spirit right is key,’’ he admitted. “You need like-minded people here, do that and, in any sport, business, you have a chance. First up, get everyone together who want to be here.

“I want players who want to be here and represent the club and work hard every day for the cause.

“We have players to speak with, I’ll speak to them all soon and I want to meet them and the staff and go from there.

“At the moment I am very open-minded. Players and staff, I expect the same standards and outlook as me or it won’t work.

“There’s some very good, very experienced players here who for one reason or another, not to look back, shouldn’t be in the National League as a team. But we are and the main thing is getting them all together and getting out of the league as soon as we can.

“Some players may want to be back in the Football League and may get an opportunity, but I need to keep our best players and add to them of equal and better quality.’’