Speculation linking Chris Wilder to the vacant manager’s job at Coventry City should be clarified this week as the npower League One club prepares to begin the interview process.

The Sky Blues have reportedly narrowed their search to a short-list of nine after the club’s board reviewed more than 60 formal applications to succeed Andy Thorn.

Wilder was the overwhelming favourite with bookmakers last week.

And, although he has been overtaken by former Walsall and Luton Town boss Richard Money, who was at the Ricoh Arena to watch Coventry’s 2-1 defeat to Stevenage on Sunday, the Oxford United manager’s odds remain short.

It is not known whether Wilder is on the list, but as he is under contract, City would have to ask the U’s for permission to make contact.

Last week, United chairman Ian Lenagan said: “Chris Wilder is a very good manager and I don’t want to lose him.”

ROTHERHAM boss Steve Evans will be missing when Oxford United visit the New York Stadium on September 29 after he was given a six-match ground ban and fined £3,000 by the Football Association.

Evans was found guilty of “using abusive and insulting words and behaviour towards a participant in or around the dressing room area” when in charge of Crawley following their clash at Bradford on March 27.