CAPTAIN Micky Barron admits Hartlepool United's players are as much in the dark as anyone else when it comes to knowing who their next manager is.

Mike Newell was axed three weeks ago and chairman Ken Hodcroft is choosing the man to lead Pool into pastures new next season.

A round of interviews was held in Newcastle seven days ago, with further talks planned for today.

Terry Dolan is believed to have already been interviewed and today is likely to see Martin Scott and Tony Mowbray given a chance to impress after they returned from holiday.

An announcement is set to come towards the end of the week, but Barron, who launched the club's new home strip last week, confessed players have no idea who the new chief will be.

"We don't know what is happening - that's the truth,'' admitted the defender who is now the club's longest serving player after Graeme Lee confirmed his move to Sheffield Wednesday.

"It's all up in the air. Of course we have all been on the phone to each other talking about names we read in the papers and hear - I've spoke to Ritchie Humphreys, Jon Bass and Chris Westwood in the last few days.

"It was a big shock when Mike left, we weren't expecting it to happen.

"Whoever comes in is starting from fresh in pre-season and that's good for all the players, especially those who feel they haven't had a chance.

"I suppose his first impressions in pre-season will be who the best runners are! But it's good to come in pre-season because it gives us all time to get to know each other in a five or six-week period.''

Pool's pre season includes a return to Holland, where they stayed at the KNVB training camp last summer. "The facilities there were excellent - there was nothing anyone could complain about,'' added Barron. "Last year the games were a bit easy, so hopefully it will be a bit more competitive this time.''

Meanwhile, Newell last night admitted leaving Pool was something of a relief.

He is now studying for his coaching badges as he seeks a route back in the game, but today could be announced as the new Luton boss after being shortlisted for the job.

At the time of leaving Pool he was critical of chairman Ken Hodcroft and confessed: "To be quite honest leaving was a massive disappointment on the football side of things because I really enjoyed the time working with the players and the success that we had on the field was fantastic.

"But it was actually a bit of a relief, when I was driving home when I first got the news, because the relationship with the chairman had been strained to say the least.''

He added: "There's an awful lot to learn about the dealings and what goes on in the football club and Hartlepool will certainly stand me in good stead It's not put me off in any way."

Read more about Hartlepool here.