Peter Taylor is the overwhelming choice of Argus readers to be Albion's next manager.

The former Leicester boss won a whopping 47 per cent of the votes in our phone poll. He also topped the Internet vote with 55 per cent of the votes.

We asked you to make your selection from five top names. Taylor, exclusively revealed by the Argus last week as the early frontrunner to succeed Micky Adams, claimed a landslide victory.

Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth's director of football, was the runner-up with 24 per cent. On the Internet survey, he garnered 19 per cent of the votes.

Caretaker Bob Booker finished third on 13 per cent, ahead of former Coventry manager Gordon Strachan on ten per cent and ex-Derby boss Jim Smith, who received just six per cent of the votes.

However, it was slightly different online where Strachan finished third with 10 per cent, booker was fourth with 8 per cent and Smith received just 4 per cent of the votes.

Albion's hunt has taken on a new twist with the departure yesterday of Trevor Francis from Birmingham. Taylor and other candidates for the Seagulls' post could also be regarded as contenders for the hot seat at St Andrews.

Booker, helped by director of youth Martin Hinshelwood, is in charge of the team again for tonight's LDV Vans Trophy trip to beleaguered Swansea following the 2-1 win at Huddersfield.

Chief executive Martin Perry has hinted that Booker could also still be at the helm for the first home game since Adams quit to become Dave Bassett's No. 2 at Leicester.

That is this Saturday, when the third-placed Seagulls face fourth-placed Oldham at Withdean.

Chairman Dick Knight has drawn up a shortlist of four leading contenders. Perry said: "We will try to resolve it as quickly as we can, but we want to get it right. Clearly the team is in very good hands in the meantime. We don't feel under any pressure to do it by Saturday."

Booker is using tonight's first round southern section tie against Swansea to give fringe first teamers a run-out.

The likes of Geoff Pitcher, Robbie Pethick, Andy Crosby, Matt Wicks, Steve Melton and Dirk Lehmann are all expected to figure.

"We are gearing up towards Saturday, so it's a case of people on the fringes getting a chance," said Booker. "A few will be rested and there will probably be a few of the youngsters on the bench."

Albion have decided not to move the home game against Port Vale next month to avoid another club versus country clash. It takes place as scheduled on Saturday November 10 (3pm), in direct competition with England's friendly against Sweden at Old Trafford.