THE Burnley board stepped up their search for Steve Cotterill's replacement yesterday by holding their first block of interviews, with more expected to be conducted today.

Former Oldham, Everton, Manchester City and Ipswich boss Joe Royle was heavily linked with the Burnley job, especially after pulling out of the Leicester running, but I understand the 58-year-old is not a candidate.

But Burnley director Brendan Flood admitted they would not be limiting their search to managers who are currently seeking employment.

"It's definitely the best man for the job, and that doesn't rule out anyone who's currently working for another club," he said.

"We have considered the list of everyone who we would prefer to see at Burnley and try to put our hearts and minds into it as Burnley fans from the board perspective and say 'who would we like as fans', so that often involves managers who are at other clubs.

"Over the course of the next couple of days we've got discussions going on, myself and Barry (Kilby) in particular, and we'll then decide if that's what we want to do.

"We will either make an appointment on people who are free, or we'd approach a club in due course.

"I think we'll probably know more by the weekend."

There are a handful of managers currently plying their trade in the Championship who are likely to have caught the eye.

Blackpool's Simon Grayson made a decent start to the season following promotion in his first full term as manager.

Scunthorpe's Nigel Adkins completed the good work Brian Laws had begun, when he left them in second place in League One to join Sheffield Wednesday in November 2006.

Adkins took charge and led them to the title, going on to make a solid start to this season by beating Burnley, Sheffield United and Preston in their opening three home games.

Geraint Williams, meanwhile, has continued to make Colchester United a force to be reckoned with in their second Championship campaign.