MATTHEW BATES, newly appointed Hartlepool United boss, is happy to have a settled backroom team behind him.

The caretaker manager was named full-time chief last Friday, after leading Pools to safety in the National League.

He recorded five wins in 13 games after taking temporary charge and the final day win at play-off finalists Tranmere swayed chairman Raj Singh to make his position permanent.

Bates had Ged McNamee and Ross Turnbull working alongside him, after enticing the pair to Victoria Park to work for free.

Now, with Bates position secure, he has also made his lieutenants part of the club.

Former Sunderland academy chief McNamee and ex-Middlesbrough goalkeeper Turnbull impressed the players during their time at the club.

And Bates admitted: “Being appointed gives me confidence going forward, it’s a bit of the unknown, but this is what I want to do long term and I’m learning every day. Ged has been around a long time and will be a great help for me.

“Ross and Ged are important. Ross is the keeper coach, but will be doing a lot more. There will be tasks and jobs for him to do and he knows it, what better person than him with the managers he’s worked under…

“It’s a good team, a team effort and we will work well together to get this club back to where it should be.

“The hard work starts now, I was looking forward to the end of the season and it’s a bit different now. We have to do the retained list and it’s an enjoyable and exciting time for myself and the club.

Pools will hold a press conference with Bates on Friday.

Meanwhile, Pools are due in the High Court in London this morning to face a winding-up order.

Issued against the club under the previous regime by HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax bills, the petition will be dismissed as it has now been resolved under new owner Raj Singh.

The club has had two others dismissed –under former owners JPNG – in December 2016 and March 2017.