DESPITE the takeover of Hartlepool United yet to be finalised, there are no concerns from any party involved about it’s eventuality.

Raj Singh, the club’s prospective new owner, is still awaiting the final stages of paperwork to be exchanged between solicitors for the deal which will see him assume control completed.

The former Darlington chairman was at Victoria Park on Tuesday evening to see Pools beat Bromley, seated alongside Craig Hignett, the club’s former boss who will be appointed director of football.

Current chairwoman Pam Duxbury was in the director’s box with the pair.

Her future at the club is uncertain as Singh would surely want to appoint his own people to engineer a turnaround in the club’s fortunes after two years of financial disaster.

Singh had hoped the deal would be confirmed last Friday, and then was confident it would be done in the build up to Tuesday’s game.

Once it has been signed off, then Singh will have to get clearance from the FA and the National League as control of the club shifts from Sage Investments and John Blackledge. That will merely be a formality.

Pools go to Maidstone tomorrow, the team one place and one point in front of Pools in the table.

Eight points from a possible 12 has lifted spirits within the dressing room as caretaker boss Matthew Bates makes an impression.

He handed a first start to 19-year-old Josh Hawkes on Tuesday and the midfielder opened the scoring in a mature display.

Bates is a big fan of the Stockton-born talent and said: “Josh was magnificent. I worked with him all year in the reserves and I’ve been a big critic at times, sometimes you doubt his mental toughness and desire, but you never see the full player at times until you see them in the first-team.

“He’s learning and for his age you won’t see a better player in the area. His decision making was that of a senior player. He will stay grounded and have to react to the knocks.

“It’s up to him to go far and do it. He doesn’t doubt himself. I’ve been there myself as a young player, and he will get bumps along the way. I couldn’t fault him tonight. I had no problems with putting him in and I hope he gains confidence from it.’’

Pools will have Liam Donnelly available tomorrow after he returned from international duty with Northern Ireland under-21s.

Bates added: “People have to realise the size of this squad and if we get a couple of more injuries we really are down to the bare bones. We have to keep them right.

“The lads have carried on with injuries, Blair Adams had cramp and we hope we can get through this run of games unscathed.’’