Town are refusing to comment any further on speculation surrounding the vacant manager's position. The Blues are understood to have drawn up a shortlist having completed the first round of interviews with skipper Jim Magilton looking an increasingly strong candidate.

The club's director of Terry Baxter told the club site: "We will not be reacting to any more of the reports linking people with the job.

"A shortlist has been drawn up and further interviews will take place as the search goes on for the new manager of Ipswich Town and, when a final decision has been made by the board, we will let the club's supporters know as quickly as possible.

"I think it is important to stress though that we are under no immediate time pressure. The focus remains very much on bringing in the right man for the job - however long that takes."

A management duo consisting of Jim Magilton and current academy director Bryan Klug has emerged as a favoured option from within the club, with the current academy director assisting the Northern Irishman in a director of football role while remaining involved with his highly successful youth set-up.

Assistant manager Willie Donachie is also on the shortlist but looks unlikely to step into Joe Royle's shoes and would probably leave the club to rejoin Royle should the former Town boss be offered a job elsewhere.

On-gardening-leave QPR boss Ian Holloway is also still in contention, while Northampton manager Colin Calderwood spoke to Town yesterday and is on the shortlist.

TWTD understands that West Brom assistant manager Nigel Pearson was given permission to speak to Town and held talks earlier this week but is not one of those set for a further interview next week.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls