Crawley expect to go into Saturday's crunch Conference clash with fellow strugglers Southport without a permanent manager for the second match in a row.

The Reds had hoped to name a replacement for Francis Vines this week but have had to delay the process due to the "high number of quality applicants".

It means midfielder Simon Wormull will be in caretaker charge again for tonight's Sussex Senior Cup tie at home to Whitehawk and Saturday's visit of Southport.

Alan Mullery, who was brought in as a football consultant by Crawley's new owners at the start of the season, said: "We are in a very nice dilemma of having so many people to choose from and it is going to be quite tough to pull out a name.

"There are still ten people in with a shout and most of them fit the bill. We know exactly what we need but it is a case of trying to pick the best candidate for the job and that is going to take a little while.

"We would have liked very much to have got someone in place before Saturday but I don't think it is going to happen.

"I think it will be next week before anything is done."

Vines was sacked more than two weeks ago following a disappointing start to the season which had seen them struggling near the foot of table and dumped out of the FA Cup by Braintree Town.

Crawley's owners, the Majeed brothers, are determined to bring in a manager with a proven track record to turn the club's fortunes around and achieve their long-term goal of taking the Reds into the Football League.

The club received a total of 35 applicants for the vacant manager's job and will hold begin holding second interviews with a shortlist of ten candidates today.

The likes of Graeme Rix, Jimmy Quinn, Barry Lloyd and Luther Blissett have all been linked to the post and Mullery says that highlights the calibre of those still in the running.

"The biggest surprise of all is the quality that has come for the job," added Mullery. "We were expecting one or two top people but not as many as we have had.

"I don't think I have been in this kind of position before of having to pick from so many good candidates. You would not believe some of the names who have applied.

"When you have got ten very good candidates it makes the decision very hard. In some ways I wish there were only two or three in the running as that would have made things a lot easier.

"They all fit the criteria we are looking for so we will have them back for second interviews this week to work out who is the best person for the job."

Whitehawk manager Ian Chapman, the former Albion favourite, is relishing the opportunity to take on Reds.

Chapman said: "There are a couple of young lads in my squad who want to player at the highest level they can and they will be able to have a look at what it is all about."

Hawks choose from a full-strength squad with Aaron Gunn and Wayne Chart available again.