Derby County have drawn up a three-man shortlist after the departure of Billy Davies yesterday.

MK Dons manager Paul Ince is the bookies' favourite to get the post with former Rams' coach Steve McClaren, who was sacked as England manager last week, also reportedly in the frame.

While Derby chairman Adam Pearson refused to be drawn on the three candidates, he was keen to stress they all have the necessary qualities to make the club a force in the Premier League.

"There are three serious candidates and that's about as far as I'll go," he told Sky Sports News.

"We've got a shortlist and we'll be working through the shortlist tomorrow (Tuesday).

"If the candidate is in work then we'll be contacting their club and if they are out of work then we'll be contacting their agent.

"It's a very tight list of people who we think can put the pride back into the team and the club. We'll be making the decision very promptly.

"We're talking about names that we think are exciting and will take the club forward and put it back on the front foot."