Tim Sherwood still favourite as West Brom close in on new head coach

Sherwood appears to be leading the race to succeed Pepe Mel after being interviewed on Friday but still faces competition with two more candidates set to speak to the Baggies in the next 36 hours.

The club plan to conclude interviews by tomorrow night before making a decision on Wednesday, after which they hope to tie up a contract quickly.

Sherwood is thought to have impressed Hawthorns officials during their discussions but Baggies sources were keen to stress today that no final decision has been made.

Weekend rumours suggested former Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat could also be interviewed for the job as Baggies officials weigh up their options. The 66-year-old left AZ Almaar at the end of last season.

Former caretaker boss Keith Downing's odds dropped with bookmakers at the weekend and the Hawthorns No.2 remains a fall-back option for chairman Jeremy Peace and a popular choice among players and staff.

But Downing, who is set to remain on the new boss's staff along with goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely, appears to be an outsider for the top job.

Many of the higher-profile names were ruled out early on in the hunt, including Chris Hughton, Neil Lennon and Real Madrid assistant boss Paul Clement.

Sherwood's chances were played down previously by Baggies sources but the 45-year-old, who captained Blackburn to the Premier League title and ended last season in charge of Spurs, has made a huge leap forward in recent days.

Meanwhile, Albion have rejected a £1m from Burnley for centre-back Craig Dawson and told the Premier League new-boys the former England Under-21s man is not for sale.

They have also been placed on alert by news from France that long-standing target Jordan Ayew is set to leave Marseille. The 22-year-old striker, who Albion tried to sign last summer, has a year left on his contract and appears determined to move on.