Colchester boss Geraint Williams is in the frame for the Derby County job.

The Mirror says Rams chairman Adam Pearson has short-listed old boy Williams and Paul Ince as shock replacement choices after sacking boss Billy Davies yesterday.

Paul Jewell - the most wanted man out of work - is also being mentioned, but denied he had already met Pearson and agreed a deal.

Welshman Williams has done major work at Colchester. He was a hero at Derby, where he played nearly 300 games in midfield.

The 45-year-old would be a shock option to most Premier League onlookers, but he is popular in Derby and could make relegation easier to bear.

Highly-rated Ince could be tempted by the Rams after making a big impact in spells at MK Dons and Macclesfield in League Two.