CRAIG Hignett will on Thursday morning offer an update on the process of appointing a new Hartlepool United boss.

Pools are seeking a replacement for Matthew Bates and Hignett will lead Pools into Saturday’s game at Maidenhead, with the recruitment process on-going.

The club’s director of football will conduct pre-match media duties at the club’s training base, before the squad heads south tomorrow morning.

Lee Bradbury, the former Man City and Portsmouth striker, now boss at Havant and Waterlooville, is reported to have been given permission to speak to the Pools’ hierarchy and is now odds on with Betvictor, with Lee Clark the second favourite at 3/1.

Bradbury has taken the club into the National League with back to back promotions. Clark was at Goodison Park to watch Newcastle United on Wednesday night, but is not thought to be amongst the club's front runners. 

It is understood that Pools want someone with strong North-East links in position, and Bradbury doesn’t fit that part of the criteria, although last week Hignett said Pools were willing to buy the right man out of his current contract if they felt it was necessary.

Michael Nelson, the former Pools centre-half, has been made available to leave Chesterfield after signing for them in the summer. He was interviewed for the Pools manager’s job at the end of last season when Bates was appointed and is said to be keen again.