Bolton Wanderers are interviewing for a new manager as they look to life in League I.

Former Huddersfield Town first-team coach Steve Eyre is among those being linked with the Trotters, whose relegation from the Championship was sealed by Saturday’s defeat at Derby County.

Jimmy Phillips has been in interim charge since Neil Lennon left the club last month.

Basement side Bolton will play third-tier football for the first time since 1993 after a season of turmoil.

They faced a winding-up order from HMRC over unpaid taxes, changed ownership and are currently working under a Football League transfer embargo.

Bolton have won only four league games all season but chairman Ken Anderson has urged supporters to “stick together” with the club now under the ownership of the Sports Shield group.

“It’s now time to look forward, not back,” he said.

“Whilst this continues to be an extremely challenging and difficult time for us all, it is imperative that we stick together and believe that we will come out the other side a better and stronger football club.”

Anderson said more than 50 applications for the managerial vacancy have been reduced to single numbers.

“We want to hit the ground running next season, which is why we are getting these building blocks in place,” added Anderson.

“We’re working tirelessly to try and get the transfer embargo lifted.

“We also have a number of key relationships and agreements in place with teams in the top flight with an eye on what we can possibly do in the loan market.”

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At the other end of the table, Middlesbrough are eying top spot.

Aitor Karanka’s side will displace leaders Burnley by beating Reading at the Riverside on Tuesday, when Leeds United visit Birmingham City.

Second-placed Boro, 3-0 home victors over Town last Tuesday, have won their last four to strengthen their grip on an automatic promotion place.

Midfielder Adam Forshaw said: “We’ve just got to keep taking each game as it comes.

“We’re looking forward to Reading and what will hopefully be three points then we can push on again.

“Every team poses its own threat but as long as we equip ourselves well, we’ll be alright.”

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Carlos Carvalhal says Sheffield Wednesday must learn from their unexpected 4-1 defeat at Bristol City.

The sixth-placed Owls have a five-point advantage over Cardiff City, their closest rivals for the final play-off berth.

And their Portuguese manager said: “We lost control of the game in the first half.

“We conceded two penalties and the first goal was a little strange. The ball touched two or three players before going in.

“It was a day off for us in the Championship. It is a long competition and you get sometimes accidents along the way.

“These kind of things can happen in a marathon competition. These sort of scores make everyone more concentrated and focused.

“Sometimes it is important to learn a lesson for the future.”

Leeds go to Birmingham in 15th place, two point and three places above Town, and chasing a first win in five.

They lost 1-0 at Burnley on Saturday and former Town loan defender Liam Cooper said: “We need to do better.

“We need to take our chances and keep chances out. We can’t start like we did.

We’re disappointed not to come away with anything but we gave ourselves a big task conceding so early.

“Conceding in the first minute of the game, away from home, against the league leaders – you can’t do it. It’s a sin.

“We did enough to get something out of the game and maybe win, so it’s disappointing.”