Lewes have taken a step closer to naming their new manager.

The Rooks have concluded a first round of interviews to find someone to replace Tim O’Shea who left the club following relegation from Blue Square Bet south at the end of the season.

From an initial 25 applications, nine people were interviewed including some experienced managers and former professionals.

That has now been cut down four names and a possible fifth who will each meet the directors again this week before an appointment is made.

The club is hoping to announce a new manager by the weekend but have insisted all along they will take whatever time they need to find the right man.

Chairman Steve Ibbitson said: “We had interviews on Friday and Monday when we saw nine people. We would have preferred to have seen less but there were a lot of candidates who were worth seeing.

“The idea was to narrow that down to a shortlist of two or three that the full board would see and make a decision from there.

“We saw the nine and there were a number who were worth putting before the full board so rather than a shortlist of two or three it has been increased to definitely four, possibly five but probably four.

“There are some really good people we have seen.

“The procedure so far has gone very smoothly. The most important thing now is to get the right person.”