DARRYL Eales remains hopeful Oxford United will be able to name their new manager at the start of next week.

The U’s have drawn up a six-man shortlist and interviewed three of those, with the club aiming to speak to the remaining trio before the weekend.

Pep Clotet, Frank Lampard and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink continue to head bookmakers’ lists, but United’s chairman would not comment on any individuals.

However, Eales did confirm there was an internal candidate in the running and said he had no problem with somebody being appointed who had not previously been a manager.

“We are 50 per cent of the way there,” Eales said.

“We will try to complete the final interviews by the weekend and try to make an appointment early next week.

“When the interviews are complete, we will have 24 or 48 hours of reflection and then come together as a board to discuss the merits.

“Once we have come up with a preferred candidate I will speak to the board and probably ask at least one member to meet them.”

Eales (pictured) says he has been buoyed by the level of interest in the job, and says it shows how far the club have come.

“There has been an absolutely superb quality of candidates,” he said.

“They have all been well-prepared, knowledgeable about the club, very complimentary about the club, the supporter base and the progress we have made over the last three years.

“Most importantly, they have been very clear on how they can help us realise our ambition of getting into the Championship.”

He added: “I think they are all serious contenders.

“Every interview I have done, I have come out thinking ‘I’ll appoint them’.”

Eales would not be drawn on whether the bookmakers’ odds reflected who had been interviewed, but said he would have no problem handing the job to somebody who does not have previous managerial experience.

“Most definitely,” he said when asked whether he would consider a first-time boss.

“Everyone needs to get their first managerial appointment at some stage but it would have be the right candidate with the right background and right calibre.”

He added: “Clearly some of the people we have spoken to are on the (bookmakers’) list, but I think the nature of it is that if you put £10 on someone they might almost become the favourite.

“But I think we have an excellent shortlist, and all three I have seen could do an excellent job for Oxford United.

“It’s all very positive and exciting.”