HARRIERS will today begin crucial boardroom talks over the future direction of the club with an urgent managerial appointment at the top of the Aggborough agenda.

One name sure to be on the director's lips at tonight's meeting is Keith Alexander who is a surprise contender for the vacancy after being "put on leave" by Lincoln City at the weekend.

Chairman Barry Norgrove, directors Neil Savery, Wayne Allen and John Baldwin and possibly life president Colin Youngjohns will convene for the first time since axeing Stuart Watkiss a month ago.

Bermuda-based director Gordon Howard will join in on the telephone, sending his brother-in-law as a local representative to attend on his behalf.

Norgrove said: "Neil Savery has got flu again but I've told him he's got to come because we can't keep putting it back and back and back.

"We've got the full house of directors coming together now and Colin might be there too to share his experience, although he hasn't got a vote.

"It starts at 6.30pm but we've got a lot to talk about so we'll probably be there all night."

Because of the time that has already elapsed since Watkiss was sacked on December 7, the Aggborough board look set to revise their original plan of short-listing half a dozen contenders.

From a batch of 55 applicants, a third have been discarded as timewasters and the directors will now interview just two or three candidates.

"My opinion has slightly changed on how many we need to shortlist because of the timescale," said the chairman.

"Six is quite a few people to get through and if we could get it down a bit lower then that would be easier.

"Last year when we appointed Stuart we interviewed about six or eight and it took us two days to sort it out. If we have to interview six so be it but I'd like to get it done quicker than that."

Alexander is the latest name to be linked with the post, joining Jimmy Quinn, Phil Robinson John Beck and Mark Yates in the running.

Lower league football was left in a state of shock earlier this week when League Two Lincoln put Alexander "on leave" hours before a game, but refused to reveal why.

Although the matter has still to be resolved at Sincil Bank, the developments have put Harriers on red alert for a manager who has led the Red Imps to successive play-off finals in the past two years.

Norgrove, playing his cards close to his chest, would only admit that a late contender has emerged, but he was gushing about Alexander's record at Lincoln despite contending with a brain tumour.

"Keith Alexander's done well at Lincoln during the five or so years he's had there, tremendously well, and I can't believe they've had a disagreement with him," he said. Meanwhile, Martin O'Connor remains in caretaker charge for Saturday's trip to Woking after presiding over three Conference defeats and a draw - and two Cup wins.

Despite refusing to rule himself in for the job on a permanent basis O'Connor has not been ruled out by Norgrove, who was due to meet with him yesterday afternoon.

"Martin still hasn't said whether he wants the job," said Norgrove.

"Obviously he's still in the frame and if we can't come to a decision or Martin wants it and we want him we'll be discussing it with him.

"I'll speak to him again to see if he wants it and to see if he would be willing to continue as caretaker until we come to a decision."

Norgrove revealed that financial director John Baldwin will play a vital role in deciding the new manager, adding: "With John there, he's pretty cute and he's good at sussing people out," he added.

"From his time at Hednesford he knows a lot about the lower leagues and he knows a lot of up and coming managers, so this is his cup of tea."