Chester-le-Street caretaker manager Colin Wake has launched a search for an assistant in an effort to hold on to the job on a more permanent basis.

Wake, one of the longest serving players in Chester history, was handed the role on Monday following the departure of Grant Crookes, who became the first managerial casualty of the Northern League season.

Wake started well when Chester beat Horden 1-0 in the second division on Tuesday night, and now he very much wants to keep the job – but he knows that he needs some coaching back up.

“I’m caretaker until further notice, but whether I get the job permanently depends on whether I can find an assistant. Management is something I want to do, but it isn’t something I can do on my own, certainly not in the Northern League,” he points out.

“I’ve got a list of five or six people whom I can ask.”