HARTLEPOOL United are likely to turn to former manager Chris Turner after yesterday's sacking of Martin Scott.

Scott's reign as Pool boss was ended in a club statement, issued shortly before 5pm.

And Turner, who saved Pool from relegation when he was appointed manager in February 1999, is favourite for a return to the club.

He was immediately installed as bookmakers' favorite for the post and is currently out of work after leaving Stockport County,

Turner left Pool in October 2002, moving to Sheffield Wednesday, after leading Pool to three consecutive play-off campaigns.

But he couldn't save Wednesday from the drop to League One and left Hillsborough in September 2004 after an inauspicious start to the new season. Nine months later his old clubs met in the League One play-off final at Cardiff.

Three months after leaving Wednesday, he took over at Stockport and left the troubled club in December 2005.

Former Pool striker Peter Beardsley, working at Newcastle United's Academy, and John Carver are also in contention for the Pool job.

Youth team coach Paul Stephenson was appointed in temporary control last week after Scott's suspension and he oversaw last weekend's goalless draw at Rotherham.

He will today take training in preparation for tomorrow's game with Chesterfield at Victoria Park.

Scott leaves Hartlepool occupying a relegation spot in League One and the former youth team coach said in a statement: "I have enjoyed my five-and-a-half years at the club but due to various circumstances I believe it is in the best interests of the club, my family and myself that I depart and allow the club to move on.

"I wish the players and club success on and off the field and encourage them now to focus fully on climbing the League One table.''

"I would also like to thank the chairman for his complete understanding of recent events.''

The sacking comes just days after Scott made a complaint to police following a disturbance in a North-East pub on Saturday.

Trouble flared at The Chase bar on Elvet Bridge in Durham City, where Scott was drinking with family and friends.

Although police were not called to deal with the incident at the time, Scott called them in the early hours of Sunday to make an official complaint.

A spokesman for Durham Police said the incident appeared to have been the result of a blunt and aggressive exchange of words which ended in a scuffle.

"We investigated the complaint and a middle-aged man was interviewed two days later at his home in west Durham and accepted police advice. As far as we are concerned the incident is closed."

A spokesman for Hartlepool Football Club refused to comment on the incident.

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