CHESTER still have a "desire" to appoint their new manager before Saturday's game at Barrow.

But the Blues' board will not rush into a decision as they look to get the right man to lead them in National League North next season.

A four-man shortlist has been drawn up from over 80 applications, with interviews currently taking place ahead of any announcement.

Former Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn, currently in charge of Doncaster Belles, and ex-Hartlepool United and TNS manager Craig Harrison currently lead the betting at 2/1, with former Chester captain Ian Sharps, who is part of Dean Keates' backroom staff at Walsall, priced at 4/1.

Carl Macauley, Billy Heath and Andy Holden are next on the list at 12/1, while Ronnie Moore, Kevin Nicholson and Shaun Reid have also been linked with replacing Marcus Bignot as permanent Blues' boss.

City Fans United board member Jeff Banks said: "Interviews are currently taking place with a shortlist of four.

"The initial thought process was that once the interviews were completed those part of the process would report back to the board and we would make a decision before the end of the week.

"Whether that decision will still be made before the end of the week is difficult to say. It is a critical decision and we don't want to rush into something.

"If any reason a decision is not made before the Barrow game it will be just down to the process and making sure we have the right man for the job."

Banks also revealed that person chosen to take over the Blues' hotseat may delay the announcement, but is pleased with the calibre of applications.

"There were the usual applications based on Championship Manager," joked Banks. "But we've certainly had a decent amount of names applying and that has been whittled down to our shortlist.

"It was pleasing to see that the Chester manager's job is still attractive to people and it's a good feeling knowing that people still want the job."