TOWN now have a shortlist of six for the manager’s job.

Owner Ken Davy and the board met yesterday to select their prime candidates from a total of 26 applications.

And they have not ruled out adding other suitable people if they apply because interviews will not start until next week.

“We will be doing some additional research on the candidates we want to talk to and the calibre is very high,” explained chairman Davy.

“While the candidates we have are good, we will not rule out anyone else from applying at this stage.

“Of those who are on our list, we will be in touch with them in the very near future.”

Davy, vice-chairman Andrew Watson and board members Roger Armitage, Ann Hough and Ralph Rimmer, the stadium managing director, put together the shortlist.

It is believed former Leicester, MK Dons and Brentford manager Martin Allen, ex-Wigan boss Chris Hutchings and Ronnie Jepson, the former Gillingham manager who was a popular Town player, are among those vying for the post.

Town, of course, are looking for a manager who will bring in his own first-team coach.