Huddersfield Town are closing in on a new managerial appointment – but are refusing to be rushed.
With a two-week international break approaching, the decision makers won’t be swayed by the fast-approaching closure of the transfer window at 11pm next Monday.
They are set to conduct a final round of interviews, and interim boss Mark Lillis, who will take charge for a sixth game at Watford this Saturday, could yet get the job on a permanent basis.
Sources suggest ex-Charlton chief Chris Powell and former Fulham coach and current Northern Ireland No2 Billy McKinlay have both impressed.
Neil Lennon, who left Celtic in May, has been linked with both Crystal Palace, after the departure of Tony Pulis, and Town.
And Coventry City manager Steven Pressley remains a serious contender to succeed Mark Robins, his predecessor at the Sky Blues.
Robins, of course, left Town in the wake of their 4-0 opening-day Championship humbling at home to Bournemouth on August 9.
Lillis has presided over two wins, a draw and two losses, the most recent 2-0 at home to Championship leaders Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup second round on Tuesday.
Watford are second in the table and have three wins in their four league games to date while Town will go into the Vicarage Road clash in 20th place.
The belief within the club is that the current squad is capable of a much higher ranking, and the motivational skills of academy chief Lillis have been noted.
In his third spell as Town stand-in manager, the highly experienced 54-year-old, who has worked closely with Steve Thompson and Steve Eyre, is a popular figure with the fans.
The former Halifax boss, who has been assistant manager for Northern Ireland and a string of Football League clubs since his Shay stint in 1999-2000, remains non-committal on his future.
“The indication is I’m taking the club into the international break, and I want to do that with more points on the board,” said the former Town playing hero.
“That international break gives everyone time to take stock, and whatever the decision is, we will move on as a club.”
Town will return to action with home games against Middlesbrough on Saturday, September 13, and Wigan Athletic on Tuesday 16.
