WELLING hope to have their new manager in place by the time they host Lewes on January 26, according to general manager Barry Hobbins.

The Wings are hoping to carry out interviews this week before they appoint the man who will have the task of steering the club clear of the Blue Square South relegation zone.

Mr Hobbins said: “We’ve had plenty of applicants who differ from experienced managers to those just starting out.

“We’ll be carrying out interviews over the next week so it is unlikely that we will have someone in place before the weekend.”

Mr Hobbins also confirmed that the Wings may make their own approaches in a bid to find the right man.

He added: “We’ve a few people in mind should those that have contacted us not fit the bill.”

Welling confirmed that former Woking boss Glenn Cockerill has expressed an interest in the position via a third party.

Mr Hobbins said: “Glenn is an experienced manager who did well at Woking so he is the sort of person that we would be looking for.”

Former Welling players Tony Dolby and Mike Rutherford, who applied for the post, have since taken charge of Ryman League, Premier Division Hastings.