COLCHESTER United chairman, Robbie Cowling, yesterday interviewed a manager currently at another club, to complete his quest for Paul Lambert's successor.

Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United chairman, Robbie Cowling, yesterday interviewed a manager currently at another club, to complete his quest for Paul Lambert's successor.

Five of the six candidates were interviewed at the end of last week, with none of these currently in managerial work, and ex-Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd is believed to be one of that quintet.

Rotherham boss Mark Robins has rejected the possibility of him being the “sixth” contender, so that leaves the likes of Torquay boss Paul Buckle (former U's player), Cheltenham manager Martin Allen and perhaps even Dagenham & Redbridge boss John Still as possibilities for yesterday's interview.

In addition to Boothroyd, Charlton coach Mark Kinsella (another former U's player), and Iain Dowie and Colin Calderwood, both part of the backroom staff at Newcastle, are obvious contenders.

Other big names linked with the vacant hot seat at the Community Stadium, over the last couple of weeks, have included Steve Coppell, Paul Jewell, Steve Cotterill and Glenn Roeder.

Cowling revealed: “We spent

a day interviewing some of the candidates on Friday.

“The list of candidates who have applied for the job is amazing. I think the calibre of the people who have applied says a lot about our football club.

“What has been really nice is that the people who have come forward to register their interest have been of a very high quality.

“And we have spoken to another club about their manager and we have been given permission to talk to him,” confirmed Cowling.

It is likely that the new manager will be appointed early this week, and will be ready to take charge of this Saturday's trip to Southampton.

Caretaker boss Joe Dunne will probably still be in charge at tomorrow night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy fixture at his old club Gillingham Cowling added: “Joe Dunne has done a great job and he's been fantastic for us.

“It's very difficult when three people (manager Lambert, assistant Ian Culverhouse and football operations manager Gary Karsa) leave the club like they have, but in a strange way it's actually gelled the club together even more.

“It's important that we keep that link with people that have been at the club for a long time.

“The way the fans have responded has been fantastic,” added Cowling.