CHORLEY are still hoping to unveil a new manager in time for Saturday's home game with Gateshead despite a new twist in the long-running saga.

The struggling UniBond League club were expected to make an announcement today but chairman Jack Kirkland said the situation will not be resolved before a board meeting on Thursday.

Former Winsford United boss Dalton Steele and current Morecambe assistant Tony Hesketh are the two leading contenders.

But the Victory Park board need more time to make the right decision.

"There will be another board meeting on Thursday afternoon," confirmed Kirkland.

"The appointment has got to be right this time because I've had five managers during my time as chairman.

"We've got to get the right man to try and save us from the drop and if we do go down then he's got to be the right man to bring us straight back up.

"Opinions have to be considered and Thursday is the earliest time all the board can meet again.

"But I want somebody in by the weekend." The club's search for a successor to Bryan Griffiths is now entering it's fourth week.

More than 30 people originally applied for the post including ex-Everton star Mark Ward, former Manchester United midfielder Ashley Grimes and ex-Southport boss Brian Kettle.

But all were discarded after failing to meet the criteria laid down by Kirkland, who stated the board were looking for a young man with a proven pedigree in non-League management.

The original shortlist was cut down to four and was believed to have featured Steele, current caretaker Jim McCluskie, ex-Macclesfield manager Peter Wragg and Burscough boss John Davison.

But Hesketh was rumoured to have made a late application last week and suddenly forced himself into the reckoning, leading to the latest delay.

Darwen boss Steve Wilkes has signed up midfielder Mick Lynch from UniBond League neighbours Great Harwood Town.

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