Jay Lovett has revealed there is scope to strengthen as Lewes sift through applications for the vacant manager’s role.

Academy boss and player/assistant Lovett heads a three-man interim management team appointed following the resignation last week of Steve Brown.

Lovett, who is working alongside Martin Hinshelwood and Steve Eke, has made it clear he would like the job on a permanent basis.

He has also said the board have given the caretaker trio licence to target new players should they like they would help the Rooks’ current plight near the bottom of Ryman premier.

However, Lovett does not expect that to happen until Lewes decide on a permanent successor to Brown.

The club are not rushing into an appointment as they have a break in action until October 17 following their double header at Needham Market today and Farnborough on Monday.

Chairman Stuart Fuller says he is impressed by the quality of candidates who have already applied for the role.

He told The Argus: “We have had a good response. We are looking at shortlisting early next week and we would probably like to talk to four or five people which we will try to do next week.

“We now have a little bit of a gap. We play on Monday and then not again until the 17th.

“We are not rushing. We want to make the right appointment.

“There are some good candidates – some people we are seeing for the first time and there are some names that have applied before.”

Lewes brought midfielder Phil Appiah back to the club late last week but Lovett has revealed that was a signing which had been put in motion by Brown just before his departure.

The Rooks are still working with a small squad, not helped by injuries.

But Lovett said: “If we wanted a player it would go around the three of us and then be put to the board. We have got to be careful not to spend all the spare budget on new players before the new manager has been appointed.

“If someone comes up who we really want and at the right price I am sure we would be given the thumbs up.”

Chris Breach could return from an ankle injury in the league cup at Farnborough on Monday while fellow defender Jordan Wilson is still troubled by a niggling problem.

Jimmy Muitt remains a long-term absentee.