NEWPORT County boss Jimmy Dack has urged the club not to waste time in announcing his successor.

The Exiles have been interviewing candidates for a fortnight after Dack told director Howard Greenhaf that he didn’t want to be considered for the position.

Dack told Argus Sport yesterday that he was offered the role on a permanent basis, but is now set to depart after Saturday’s home clash with Oxford United.

The Exiles are understood to have narrowed down their list with former England international Terry Butcher and ex-Cheltenham boss Mark Yates the front runners to permanently succeed Dack.

However, both former Accrington boss James Beattie and ex-Mansfield manager Paul Cox are also understood to be under consideration.

County have also been impressed by an unnamed candidate, who is employed by another club and as such has asked to not be mentioned publicly.

However, Butcher, revealed by Argus Sport on Sunday as the front runner, appears to still be the man to beat, especially as he’s willing to move to the city from his home in Suffolk.

Dack feels an announcement is needed sooner rather than later.

“I will be in charge of Saturday’s game; whoever is going to take it on should be there as well, whether they are appointed after that or before it,” he said.

“I’ve had a meeting with the players and told them it is business as usual until Saturday. We’ve got a job to do.

“Then, if they get someone in place, next week it’s time for the new manager to sit down with the players and try to take this club forward.”

County’s directors met on Tuesday and the new manager was high on their list of priorities, as well as confirming Dack’s departure and their renewed sponsorship deal with Mr Tom.

It is understood they have identified their first choice and have made an offer, but nothing has yet been signed and sealed.

County would, however, ideally like to announce and unveil the new boss in time to present him to the Rodney Parade faithful on Saturday.

Newport have until the third Saturday in May to decide on their released and retained list from the current campaign.

With both Kevin Feely and Andrew Hughes’ deals this season thought to include extensions based on appearances (that haven’t been met), Mark Byrne, Yan Klukowski and Joe Day are the only players contracted for next term.