Motherwell are poised to announce a new manager before Christmas with a number of leading names in the frame. It is understood that the interview process was completed on Monday with the preferred candidate likely to be appointed in the coming days.

Everton reserve-team coach Alan Stubbs, former Bradford boss Stuart McCall, former Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia and Chris Sutton, who resigned from his post at Lincoln in September, have all been linked with the post.

Chairman John Boyle has never appointed a manager who has previously been in charge of a Scottish Premier League club and is likely to maintain that statistic despite the likes of John Hughes, Gus MacPherson and Jimmy Calderwood being linked with the post.

Motherwell have scheduled their weekly media conference on Wednesday for caretaker manager Gordon Young to preview their Boxing Day clash against Rangers at Fir Park.