Heed close to naming a new boss

VANARAMA National League club Gateshead hope to unveil their new manager in the next 48 hours.

The Tynesiders, six points from both the play-offs and the relegation zone, are searching for a replacement for Neil Aspin.

The 52-year-old took over at Port Vale last week, his reign getting off on the wrong foot with a home defeat against Grimsby Town.

Aspin spent almost two years at hometown club Gateshead and it could be another local boy who inherits the Heed hot seat.

Three leading candidates from a shortlist of seven, all with ties to the region, were interviewed yesterday.

Gateshead chairman Richard Bennett said: “We have had more than 50 applications for the job and we have narrowed that down to a high-quality list.

“They are people I believe I can work with to take the club forward. Ideally we will have the new man in place for Saturday’s trip to Buxton in the FA Cup.”

Former Newcastle, Everton and Aston Villa player Steve Watson is hotly tipped to be given his first senior managerial job.

Tynesider Watson, 42, is currently No 2 at National League leaders Macclesfield Town and is believed to have applied for the Gateshead job in the past.

Blyth Spartans’ boss Alun Armstrong has emerged as another serious contender.

Armstrong, from Blaydon, who played in the same Newcastle United youth side as Watson (below), said: “I am loving it at Blyth and want to get the club into the Conference Premier, but I am also ambitious and want to manage a professional club.

“Gateshead are my home town club and have ambitions to get back into the Football League, which is where I want to manage.”

While Watson and Armstrong were involved in their club games on Saturday, ex-Middlesbrough striker Craig Hignett took in Gateshead’s defeat against Bromley. Hignett spent almost a year in charge at Hartlepool and has also been Boro assistant boss.

Gary Mills, who took Gateshead to the Conference Premier play-off final in 2014 is also highly fancied by the bookmakers.