The hunt for AFC Telford United’s third manager is drawing to a close – with club officials confident of meeting their initial deadline of Monday.

Second interviews in the hunt to find Rob Smith’s successor are now well under way.

And chairman Lee Carter is predicting an announcement will be made at the end of next week, a month after the departure of Smith and assistant manager Larry Chambers.

“We are coming to a conclusion,” Carter said today.

“There is still some business to be done today, tomorrow and maybe over the weekend.

“We have gone through a very, very thorough process and the Trust have been heavily involved.

“But we are confident we are bang on course to meet our deadline.”

A host of contenders applied for the Bucks job with former England and QPR winger Andy Sinton, who recently resigned as boss of Fleet Town, among those still in contention.

Ex-Peterborough manager Mark Cooper is also understood to be in the frame. Other potential candidates include former Blackburn manager Jeff Kenna, Northwich boss Andy Preece and Hinckley chief Dean Thomas.

Carter, meanwhile, admitted the exhaustive search for Smith’s replacement has left him drained.

“I personally feel washed out by the whole process,” he added.

“But it’s been thoroughly enjoyable being able to talk to a whole host of very capable individuals.”

By James Garrison