CRAIG HARRISON hopes to have his right-hand man in place in the near future.

The new Hartlepool United boss has to appoint a whole new backroom team at Victoria Park following a string of departures.

Matthew Bates has been named as first-team coach, which will signal the drawing to a close of his playing days, Bernard Hirmer has been appointed goalkeeping coach, while Nathan Porritt, the former Middlesbrough prospect has been working as kit man.

No new physio has yet been named following the axing of Buster Gallagher and Harrison is biding his time to land his assistant.

“We have to be respectful with the assistant manager as the person I want is at a different club, so that’s why nothing has happened yet,’’ he said. “I know some people might be a bit frustrated with it, but we have to be respectful.’’

Bates, signed up to Middlesbrough’s Academy as a youngster while Harrison broke into the first-team in 1997, had a taste of managing last season.

He was appointed as one of four in charge of Pools after Dave Jones was sacked and, while he remains under contract as a player, his first week of pre-season has been about coaching.

“Getting Batesy involved was key for me,’’ insisted Harrison. “Since day one he has given me a real honest assessment about the players. I think it was four weeks without a manager before I came in, so it’s a tough period.

“You can look back at games on DVD, but I needed to know what I had and you don’t know about characters. Batesy knows them all, is keen to learn, he wants to become a manager in years to come. For me, it’s a good, positive appointment.

“He’s been in the dressing room for a couple of years and look at the reaction he got from the lads at the end of last season under him. I think it’s a buffer for me between staff and players.

“He’s had a go in charge and enjoyed the experience. They respect him and players know him and he knows what I expect. We both have similar ideas in how we will play, how we will train and how we will get back in the Football League as quick as possible.

“After some conversations over two weeks I made my mind up I would like him involved as part of the coaching staff. And he will gain good experience with the reserves / Under-21s.’’

As for the chances of Bates playing, Harrison admitted: “I’ve retired through injury and wouldn’t want to put on anyone when they should pack in. He will keep himself fit and available.

“He can step in and is more than capable. He’s had injuries himself. He sees this as a great opportunity.’’

Their first pre-season game is at Billingham Town on Thursday, and the home game with Wigan on July 25 has been cancelled at the request of the visitors.

Harrison was left chasing up a pre-season schedule after Jones failed to put anything in place during his tenure and he admitted: ““Pre-season is a tough one, I’ve had to shuffle it around a bit as everyone should know these games are organised in March / April – it’s not easy to get games willy/nilly.

“Everyone is organised and done, not many are left without games and pre-season wasn’t organised when I came in.

“I’ve tried to do my best and get games arranged, with more to come and I’m calling favours in and trying to get the best we can.

“It’s something we couldn’t do much about, so it is what it is.’’