The Eagles will be choosing their new manager this Wednesday after narrowing down their impressive list of applicants following a first round of interviews.

"We have a short-list of three or possibly four depending on a full meeting of the committee," said secretary Paul Jarvis after all the serious contenders were seen on Monday and Tuesday.

"They will all be coming back in on Wednesday and, after deliberations, we will let them know on the night which of them has been successful. It may take some time because there is a huge variation in experience of the candidates.

"It has been difficult for us to cut it down from the nine applications, and the next part of the process will be even harder.

"On paper, one man stood out but this is a decision we have to grapple with and one we don't make too often so we have to get it right.

"I would like to thank every single one of the people we have interviewed and the ones who showed an interest in the job but were not seen. There have been so many really good candidates.

"Even the ones that have made it this far are diverse - they range from the young to the more experienced. To select from this list will be difficult - it will definitely go to a vote by the whole committee.

"It has been the right thing to take time over the appointment but we want to have it sorted this coming week.

"We need to get on with our preparations for the new season very soon.

"The training schedules have to be worked out, the squad has to be looked at and the pre-season friendlies arranged."