Hastings United chairman Dave Walters is already interviewing for Steve Lovell's successor in the Pilot Field hot-seat.

The former Welsh international quit after 17 months in charge following last Saturday's 4-3 defeat at home to bottom-of-the-table Newport IOW, but Walters has revealed that there has already been strong interest in the job.

Walters, who is helping Lovell's former assistant Vince Moorton to run the side, said: "It is very early days but there has been interest and I have a couple of interviews lined up.

"However, that does not mean we shall be making an immediate appointment as we have an advert going in the non-league paper as well as The Argus.

"However, so far I have been very pleased with the calibre of the applicants and it leaves me optimistic.

"Certainly if other candidates are of the same standard as we have received so far then I shall have a real headache when it comes to appointing a new manager."

Walters added: "Although I have said we are keen to appoint a local manager, that is not at the expense of getting the best possible replacement for Steve Lovell.

"There are obvious advantages to appointing a local manager but what I don't want to do is take the best of the local applicants when there might be someone better for the job who is not so close.

"As I have said before, I must take my time and make sure we get the right man."

A number of names have been linked with the job, among them former Rye boss Ryan Light.

Ex-Hailsham boss Brian Dennis confirmed recently that he was in the market for a return to management.

But another possible contender, Rye boss Glyn White, has already ruled himself out.

He said: "At the moment I am happy at Rye. I have a contract at the club and it is a big enough job for me at the present time.

"I have only just returned so I don't want to leave again with us doing well."

As rumours circulate about possible candidates, Walters has praised the players' commitment and character.

There had been criticism that, under Lovell, too many players came from outside Sussex and lacked the necessary commitment to the club. But Walters refutes this.

He said: "There have been claims that these players are not proud to wear the Hastings United shirt.

"Players are paid to play but not enough to earn a living. They have other jobs and at the end of the day they may have to get in their cars and drive for an hour. That certainly shows some degree of commitment.

"Apart from Jon Wallis and Danny Knowles, the players are still here and I think an awful lot of character has shone through."

Captain Jimmy Elford is one player who has no intention of leaving the club and hopes the rest of the squad grab the chance to show their commitment.

The 24-year-old defender said: "I'm a Hastings boy and I'll stay with this club as long as I can. I love the club.

"Steve Lovell did a fantastic job and we shall miss him. However, we cannot deal in 'what ifs' and the players have to look to the future.

"They have to grasp this opportunity with both hands and respond in the right way, especially at this time.

"I would imagine most players will stick around until the new manager comes in.

"My only hope is that when a new boss is appointed, wholesale changes are not made.

"A solid nucleus is at the club already which we have shown this season with good results against strong sides. A new manager will have new ideas and we'll have to see what happens.

"If players don't get in than I can understand them wanting to go. Afterall, we all just want to play first team football."

Leon Legge will not be joining Hastings from County League Hailsham. The club have spoken to the defender but he is keen to stay at the Beaconsfield.

United entertain second-bottom Croydon in division one tomorrow.