HARTLEPOOL UNITED aim to complete their manager search in the coming days.

After Pools ended a seven-game losing stretch with a victory at Maidenhead, focus turns to who will get the chance to replace Matthew Bates.

Craig Hignett has had two temporary games in charge and has been conducting interviews with candidates in the last week.

That process will continue in the early part of this week, while the club starts to delve into the character and backgrounds of who they have interviewed.

After Josh Hawkes’ first-half strike gave Pools victory, Hignett told BBC Tees: “We are setting out early in the week to finish what we are doing, making a decision next week hopefully.

“I would think this would be my last game in charge, but you can never say never in football! Hopefully we will have someone in charge for the Leamington game at the weekend.

“I’ve loved being back in charge, I learned so much in my first time here and I’m so much better equipped. I’ve got to know everyone, their strengths, weakness and what types of character we need. The last two weeks for me have been vital.’’

Pools’ coach Ged McNamee is the new favourite with the bookmakers and the former Sunderland Academy chief has applied for the post.

Lee Bradbury is second in the odds list and has spoke about his desire to get the job. He is also reportedly attracting interest from Wrexham.

The Havant and Waterlooville boss was interviewed last week and, after his side beat Braintree on Saturday, he said: “I went up to Hartlepool and had an interview which I am led to believe went very well. Now I am waiting for them to get back to me.

“All I will say is that I am ambitious, but at the same time I am loyal and have turned other jobs down in the past to stay here. The club were patient and stuck with me when we were relegated and I have in return remained loyal.

“It is up to the football club now to keep me here. If I am offered the job at Hartlepool, it is an attraction that it is full-time.

“Of course it is still non-league and a long way from home and my family. I will have a lot of decisions to make if I am offered the job. It is something, though, that I am seriously thinking about. “I am still reasonably young at 43 and have managed now over 300 games. 'I would like to start climbing the ladder.’’