CHAIRMAN Jim Cockerton is confident that the managerial vacancy at Common Road will be quickly filled, writes Mervyn Collins.

Evesham United's committee has met and reached a short list of potential replacements for Phil Mullen and an announcement could be made tomorrow.

"We've had around a dozen applications and we are hoping to fill the position as soon as possible," the chairman revealed.

"There will definitely be someone new at the helm for next weekend's trip to Yate and Paul West will be acting as No 2 to whoever takes charge," Cockerton admitted. "Neither Paul or Micky (Brennan) wanted the job on a permanent basis but we have told Westy that the assistant's job is his if he wants it."

West has pledged his future to the Robins and he will be more than happy to help out the new manager.

"I'm there to be involved," he admitted. "It's all about Evesham United Football Club and I will be on hand to give whatever help the new man needs."

West has been in charge of training this week and he has been delighted by what he has seen.

"The lads have been working extremely hard. They are a bit apprehensive with the prospect of a new face coming in but we've got five more sessions before the next match and it's my intention to get their fitness levels up," West said yesterday.

"Last Saturday's win was a much needed result and I wasn't too fussed about how the team played - we just had to get the points."

"There was a positive attitude and all the players worked hard and kept going right until the finish."

The joint caretaker boss revealed that Nathan Jukes wanted to stay at the club despite an approach from Stourport and he also revealed that Mark Shepherd hasn't yet put pen to paper at Redditch!

However, Bedworth have put in seven days for Inderpaul Khela who will be speaking with West at training tonight.

West also paid tribute to Kevin Rowlands, who he admitted had been brought in as a short term help.

"You've got to take your hat off to him," West admitted. "He's not played for a couple of months but he's come in and given everything and given the forward line a presence for the past couple of matches."

Mullen, meanwhile, has been appointed manager of Cinderford Town - a move that make for a rather interesting Boxing Day clash at Common Road!