THE search for a manager at Ipswich Town took another knock last night, with Colin Calderwood looking set to fill the Nottingham Forest vacancy today.And West Brom No.2 Nigel Pearson is also out of the running after being told he will not be getting a second interview.

By Derek Davis

THE search for a manager at Ipswich Town took another knock last night, with Colin Calderwood looking set to fill the Nottingham Forest vacancy today.

And West Brom No.2 Nigel Pearson is also out of the running after being told he will not be getting a second interview.

With Ian Holloway and Willie Donachie understood not to be on any shortlist, the Blues' options are now down to the Bryan Klug and Jim Magilton and, as yet, two unnamed candidates.

Magilton, who has said he wants to continue playing while starting on his coaching career, and Klug have been interviewed as a partnership, which could see Donachie, and possibly Steve McCall, surplus to requirements at Portman Road if they were to get the job.

Calderwood, who has been linked with the City Ground job for some time now, looks set to join Forest today after interrupting his family holiday in Dubai for a second time.

Calderwood's affection for the club, after playing at the City Ground, and the closeness to his home near Northampton, which would be less disruptive to his family, will be important factors in his decision.

Calderwood's decision not to pursue the Blues' job would give the remaining candidates a better chance and make the board's decision easier, although a call to Carlisle for Paul Simpson could follow if Calderwood today confirms he does not want the Town job, while chairman David Sheepshanks and chief executive Derek Bowden are prepared to go into next month before announcing the new man.

Sheepshanks last night said: “We have conducted extensive interviews with a number of high-calibre candidates. We have now narrowed the field and expect to narrow it further over the coming week.Some candidates who have been interviewed have been told we will not be taking matters further, while others have ruled themselves out, but that has not thrown us off track.

“The appointment of a manager is the single most important job for a Football Club's chairman and board of directors to undertake.

“It is of paramount importance to us all that we make the right selection and, to that extent, I'm comfortable with the fact that we are taking our time.”

Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney is another possibility if Town decide to revise their shortlist, while England coach Sammy Lee, who missed out on the Charlton job, is another who could come into contention.

Former Ipswich players Terry Butcher and Tony Mowbray have already knocked Town back. Butcher chose to accept the offer from Australian side Sydney FC rather than take his chances in the interview process with Ipswich, while Mowbray declined a formal interview after Hibs had given him permission to speak to the Blues.

Approaches for Colchester United boss Phil Parkinson, and a tentative enquiry for Steve Tilson at Southend, also proved fruitless, while Mick McCarthy, who has been interviewed, has not had his interest followed up.

Alan Curbishley, who was on a reported £1.2m a year at Charlton, looks to be keeping to his word about taking a break from football.

Although Billy Davies was never a serious consideration for Town, he could soon be heading out of Deepdale, despite missing out on the Charlton job that is expected to be filled by Iain Dowie today.

Davies is threatening legal action against Preston chairman Derek Shaw after he refused permission for Derby to speak to him and insist they will only allow Premiership clubs that right.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk