Wolves boss search narrows with Tim Sherwood and Paul Lambert in frame

Just a handful of names remain in the frame to replace Walter Zenga in the Molineux hot seat,

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Sources suggest Nigel Pearson has had a second interview as Wolves explore the option of appointing the former Leicester City and Derby County boss, whose name got a lukewarm reception from supporters last week.

Ex-player and fan favourite Paul Ince is also believed to be on the shortlist and it's thought he will be interviewed in the coming days.

And interim boss Rob Edwards, whose first game in charge ended in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, also remains an option.

Further candidates could emerge in the coming days but Wolves are thought to have whittled it down to this final few.

The club have been besieged with applications and, although only a few are left, it's not thought they are due to name Zenga's successor early this week.

An appointment after this weekend's visit of Derby remains the most likely timeframe.

Fosun supremo Jeff Shi has sat in on all the interviews so far. Sporting director Kevin Thelwell is leading the search and Mr Shi will make the final decision.

As previously reported, their strong preference is for a British manager or head coach with experience and success in the Championship.

Both Lambert and Pearson have won promotion from the league, with Norwich City and Leicester respectively. Lambert left Blackburn in the summer after activating a clause in his contract.

Sherwood's stock was high after he guided Spurs to sixth in 2014 but the 47-year-old was sacked by Villa last October after six consecutive defeats.

Ince, who played for Wolves between 2002 and 2006, has been out of work for two years after leaving Blackpool. He is thought to be the outsider at this stage.

Interim boss Edwards will surely need Wolves to beat Derby on Saturday to seriously stake his claim, should he still be in charge at that point.

Pearson remained the 6/5 favourite with bookies last night.

A move for Dudley-born ex-England boss Sam Allardyce remains a non-starter. It was reported towards the end of last week that Allardyce isn't yet ready for a move back into football and his preference is likely to be a Premier League job.

Edwards insisted on Saturday that he wasn't thinking about whether he'd get the job full time.

"We just carry on until we're told otherwise," the 33-year-old said. "Our focus goes on to Derby."