Hignett enjoying big role with Hartlepool

Some eyebrows were raised when it became clear former manager and player Hignett would be returning to the club in a more senior capacity in the Raj Singh regime.

But after swapping tracksuit for three-piece suit, Hignett admits he’s relishing the challenge of helping manager Bates get Pools back where they belong.

“This is new to me, of course, but I am enjoying it,” said Hignett.

“And things have been working well with me and Matty.

“This role is very different to being a manager and I have learned a lot in the short time I have been here.

“I deal with everything from the academy to the first team - I oversee everything.

“If Matty wants a player he can come to me and say ‘I want a centre-forward’ and I will go and get five for him that are all in our budget.

“If he knows the centre-forward he wants I’ll go and watch him, if there’s someone he wants I’ll go to see the agent.

He continued: “Everything, football-wise, I’ll be involved with. It could be bringing in players, or talent spotting, or scouting.

“I’ll do as much as I can to make sure we get in the players Matthew wants in.”

Meanwhile, Bates, in his first full-time coaching role has welcomed the influence of his former manager Hignett this summer.

“Craig has been great with me,” said the 31-year-old, who will find out who his side play on the opening day of the National League season when the fixtures are revealed on July 4.

“He has taken a lot of the workload off me – pre-season friendlies, speaking to players and agents.

“We work from the same office, we talk and discuss things. Players who come in will be my decision, but Craig will do the negotiating for them.”