MATTHEW BATES remains in charge of Hartlepool United, with little progress in the club’s need for a new manager.

Today’s game at Aldershot has been postponed, rearrange for Tuesday night.

Caretaker Bates took care of last weekend’s flat defeat to Ebbsfleet at Victoria Park. In the continued absence of assistant manager Paul Jenkins and goalkeeping coach Bernard Hirmer, Bates has acquired some help this week.

As The Northern Echo revealed on Tuesday, Ged McNamee and Ross Turnbull have joined him at the club to ease the burden.

McNamee was long in charge of Sunderland’s Academy, while Bates played alongside Turnbull at Middlesbrough.

And Bates revealed that as a young prospect at Manchester United’s North-East centre of excellence, McNamee was his mentor.

“It is funny how things work out in football,’’ he reflected. “Ged was my first ever coach when I was at Manchester United and he is now working alongside me.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the job and has been a big help in the build up to this game.

“Ross has also been in two days.

“He has been doing some scouting and a little bit of coaching since he ended playing but is not sure what he wants to do next in the game.

“For him this is the perfect bit of experience and for me it is great to have someone who has worked under some of the best managers on the planet to bounce ideas off.

“Our goalkeepers have enjoyed the training he has put on for them this week.’’

Pools’ chairwoman Pam Duxbury is overseeing the manager search at the same time she is holding the keys to the future of the club.

A permanent new boss may not be wanted by any new owners. But options on the latter front are limited.

Jeff Stelling has joined forces with a North-East businessman to try and put together a consortium to save the club, but they need a further £600,000 to make it viable.

Club president Stelling appealed in midweek for assistance. The option of joining forces with a potential consortium from Sweden is an option.

Both Stelling and the Swedes are keen on having Ronnie Moore back at the club, with Stelling even willing to pay for former manager’s wages out of his own pocket.

The Shots were hopeful to get today’s game on, but conditions meant is was called off yesterday morning.

A club statement read: “Staff and volunteers at Aldershot have been working hard to ensure the EBB Stadium pitch was playable and had remained optimistic that the weekend game could go ahead.

“However, concerns over the safety of surrounding areas, potential travel problems and further forecast for heavy snow have forced the postponement.

“The two clubs have been in discussions during Friday morning and have now agreed that the National League fixture will be re-scheduled for this coming Tuesday night.’’