SALISBURY City officials have said they are expecting to name a replacement for Tommy Widdrington next week.

An update by the club's board, posted on its offical website, said the club is zeroing in on the appointment of a new first team manager. 

A Whites spokesman said the club had received ‘around 30’ applications for the job, vacated by  Widdrington earlier this month when he left to join Southend United as assistant manager to Paul Sturrock. 

Club captain Darrell Clarke and Widdrington’s assistant Mikey Harris were placed in temporary charge of first team affairs and have ensured the club’s pre-season training schedule and friendly fixtures have run smoothly. 

A spokesman for the board said: “We were delighted with the response we got to the advertisement for the manager’s job.

“We had lots of applications and have been very impressed by the quality of the candidates we have met so far. 

“The initial round of interviews is continuing this week and we are likely to draw up a shortlist by the end of the week.

“We will then hopefully be in a position to make an announcement early next week.”