Iain Dowie, who left his job of Crystal Palace manager yesterday, is expected to talk to Charlton regarding their vacancy over the next couple of days. The former Northern Irish international was linked with the Blues but looks likely to move a club in the Premiership or based in the North-West.

Dowie's family are in the North-West and the geographical problems he has encountered while at Selhurst Park were cited as the main reason behind his exit by mutual consent yesterday afternoon.

This led to speculation that he could be interested in the Preston job should Billy Davies leave Deepdale over the summer. Davies, who topped Town's initial wish-list, was understood to have held talks at the Valley yesterday, having been given permission to speak to the Addicks by the Lilywhites.

Charlton are also interested in talking to Dowie with an interview reportedly set to take place over the next 48 hours. Middlesbrough have also been linked and may well be a more likely proposition given their location.

Ian Holloway, who has confirmed that he applied for the Town job, is reported to be favourite to take over at Yeovil having missed out on the Millwall manager's position to Nigel Spackman.

Reports in Derby say Joe Royle is not amongst those in the running to take over at Pride Park but was involved in the Rams' new consortium's recruitment process in an advisory capacity. The ex-Town boss is keen to return to management but, like Dowie, may prefer a job nearer his home in the North-West.

Former England rugby union chief Sir Clive Woodward is reported to have been offered the manager's job at a Football League club, but it would be a huge surprise if it were to be Town.

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