ENTICING Lee Bradbury to Hartlepool United may be too costly according to his current boss.

Havant and Waterlooville boss Bradbury was interviewed by Pools for the vacant manager’s job this week, one of a number to have met the Pools hierarchy, with more to come.

Lee Clark has been among the candidates and was interviewed earlier this week.

Bradbury is the odds-on favourite with the bookmakers, although in a small betting market a few punts on one contender will see his odds tumble.

There’s been more noise about Bradbury because of that and the notion that Pools made an approach for the former Bournemouth boss.

Hawks chairman Derek Pope claimed: “If Hartlepool want him they will have to pay us a large sum of compensation.

“It is written in his contract and they might fall over when they find out how much. Whether that will prove to be a stumbling block remains to be seen.

“We gave them permission to speak with Lee after they approached us. I was a bit surprised that he flew up the next day to meet them, but that's football.

“They have had the chance to explain what they have on offer. Since then we have not heard a dicky bird and no-one knows what is happening.

“Obviously, we would like it resolved sooner rather than later because it is a bit unsettling. Once we know what is happening then we can get ourselves into shape to move forward.’’

Craig Hignett, the Pools’ director of football and caretaker boss, admitted last week the club would be prepared to buy the right candidate out of their contract if necessary.

Bradbury has had six years in charge of the Hawks, who visit the Super 6 Stadium in two weeks time.

Pope added: “I think everybody at the club wants Lee to stay, but it is his choice.

“It will be down to Lee and whether he gets offered the job and decides he wants to go.

“Hartlepool is a long way away at the other end of the country. However, these events will now probably put him in the picture for other jobs that might come up.

“This is something that we will have to speak about. Until we hear anything definite, however, we will carry on business as usual.’’