HARTLEPOOL UNITED have brought in Brian Honour to assist caretaker manager Sam Collins while the search for a permanent appointment takes place.

Honour, a former Pools player, offered his services to the club on a short-term basis and it was accepted following the departure of Colin Cooper nine days ago.

The development indicates that the discussions to draft in ex-Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Graham Kavanagh for an initial month to steady the ship have stalled.

Collins’ performance so far has impressed Victoria Park chiefs. Since Cooper’s exit, Hartlepool have turned in an improved display against Sheffield United last week and then they returned from a long trip to Exeter with three points on Saturday.

Honour will work alongside Stephen Pears and Collins on the training ground this week and will be in the dug-out for the visit of Luton Town to Victoria Park this weekend.

Honour made 384 appearances and scored 36 goals between 1985 and 1994 for Hartlepool and he is still well-liked by the club’s fans. Hartlepool have had plenty of applications for the manager’s post.