JIMMY Mullen is battling against another Turf Moor old boy Mick Buxton for the manager's job at Scunthorpe United.

I understand that ex-Burnley boss Mullen was interviewed for the vacant post yesterday, along with Buxton, who is the present caretaker-boss at Glanford Park, and two other contenders.

The Third Division club are believed to have narrowed the short-list down to three - Mullen, Buxton and one mystery man, with Paul Fairclough, boss of Conference title favourites Stevenage, rumoured to be in the reckoning.

Mullen must be a strong contender but Buxton, who was called in to look after things following previous manager David Moore's departure, is the man in possession.

And he also has the advantage of a thorough knowledge of the club, having been boss there for four years from 1987-91.

Scunthorpe are expected to hold second interviews with the three leading candidates next week.

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