Chairman David Sheepshanks and chief executive Derek Bowden are set to meet today to draw up a short-list of candidates for the vacant manager's job. The Blues have had more than 40 applications for the position.

Town want to have the new man in place before pre-season training starts on June 26th.

Preston boss Billy Davies, reportedly already contacted via a third party, is understood to be Town's first choice but, with the quality of the some of the applicants apparently surprising David Sheepshanks, that could change.

Davies, likely to cost Town £200,000 in compensation should they offer him the job, is not ruling out a move away from Deepdale with Hearts, Charlton and Derby also reported to be targeting him: "It's like anything else - who knows?

"If a club comes in and it's a fantastic move, and it's right for the club and it's right for me, and the board feel it's right, you just don't know.

"All I can say is I have had a wonderful time at this football club. It's been a tremendous memory for me and I am not in any rush to leave the place."

Of the other contenders, Terry Butcher has all but committed his future to Australian side Sydney FC, while Colchester's Phil Parkinson and Hibs boss Tony Mowbray are amongst those likely to be sounded out whether they are interested over the next few days if they haven't been already.

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