TOWN fans may have to endure a further delay in the hunt for a new manager after Andrew Fitton revealed he is tracking two candidates currently employed by other clubs.

The County Ground chairman expects to make an announcement “of some kind” next week, but has warned fans not to expect an immediate end to the recruitment process.

Speaking to the Advertiser from New York, Fitton said yesterday: “I know the fans want to see a resolution but we need to make sure we get this appointment right.

“I would hope to make an announcement next week, but depending on what happens, that could only be to say it’s going to take a while longer.

“There are people we are trying to talk to who are already with clubs, so that can take time and that’s why I don’t want to get nailed to a date.

“The issue is not only compensation, but some clubs just don’t want to let their manager go.

“Of the two clubs we have approached, the response so far has been 50/50.”

While Fitton is keeping tight-lipped about the names on his short list, he did confirm there had been no approach for former Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez.

Chief executive Nick Watkins has been conducting further interviews this week, as Town continue their search for Maurice Malpas’ successor.

Meanwhile, Fitton revealed he had given caretaker boss Dave Byrne the green light to line up some possible transfer targets in the January window, as revealed in yesterday’s Advertiser.

“We can’t do anything until January, but I think people would be surprised if we were not looking at what we need to do,” said Fitton.

“When you look back it was Dave who started all the initial conversations with regards to signing Anthony McNamee.

“It was the same with Simon Cox at Reading, and then we took up the negotiations.

“As Dave has said, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out where the problem is.

“We have the worst defensive record in the league, so that’s where he will be looking.”