Former Welsh international goalkeeper Neville Southall has been linked with the vacant manager's job at Hastings United.

United hope to appoint a new manager early next week and Big Nev is rumoured to be the big name for the Pilot Field hot-seat.

Southall, 46, who made a record 92 appearances for Wales between 1982 and 1997, is familiar with non-league football having started his playing days with Welsh side Llandudno Swifts before managing Dover and being director of football at Molesey.

The two-times FA Cup winner and 1985 Footballer Of The Year lives in the south east.

Applications for the job left by another former Wales international, Steve Lovell, closed today and the club hope to conclude interviews on Monday.

Chairman Dave Walters, who has been running the side with Lovell's former assistant Vince Moorton, is keen to hand over the reins as soon as possible.

Walters refused to be drawn on whether Southall was in the frame to replace Lovell.

Lovell quit on November 20 after a 4-3 home reverse against basement side Newport (IoW) and United have lost two and won one of their last three Isthmian League division one games since while also exiting the Sussex Senior Cup to Worthing.

Despite Lovell's departure and other unrelated circumstances sparking a number of player departures from the club, there has been plenty of interest in the position.

Walters said: "I think we have had between 12 and 15 applicants in total not including any which come in today.

"From those we have whittled it down to a short list and we are holding interviews today and Monday and hope to have a new manager by the early part of next week."

Walters did reveal applicants have come from across the football spectrum.

He said: "It's a mixed bag with a bit of everything. We have had applications from some people who have little experience of managing at this level to those with a lot of experience in football and a higher profile.

"Until we interview them it is impossible to make any conclusions based just on CVs."

Walters and Moorton will remain in charge for the trip to Fleet Town and the duo are hoping to be able to field a stronger side than the one which slipped to a 5-1 defeat against Leatherhead last Saturday after the dismissal of Carl Rook.

United lost players Alan Tutton, Steve Hafner, Charlie Belcher, Peter Taylor, Jon Wallis and Danny Knowles in the wake of Lovell's departure while Steve Ringwood moved abroad.

Midfielder Ryan Peters has also now left the club to pursue other interests outside football while Walters hoped to learn the extent of captain Jimmy Elford's knee injury last night which saw him come off against the Tanners.

Walters said: "We were incredibly unlucky against Letherhead as we lost key players including Richard Bolton and Jimmy Elford to injury during the game, not to mention the sending off of Carl.

"Hopefully, we shall have Bolton fit for tomorrow and Peter Mortley is also back."

Striker Simon Rowland could also feature while Albion duo Chris May and Sam Rents, who are both on work experience, and Lewes loan signings Sam Adams and Mark Proberts are also set to play.