WANDERERS have narrowed down their managerial search and could be in a position to make an announcement on Dougie Freedman’s successor after this weekend.

Neil Lennon is now the red-hot favourite to take over at the Macron Stadium after shelving talks with Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad yesterday.

According to reports in Scotland, the former Celtic manager was offered a £2million-a-year contract in the Middle East but it is now understood he has delayed taking them up on their offer to speak with Whites chairman Phil Gartside.

Lennon has been out of work since leaving the SPL champions in May and linked with a number of posts in the Premier League and Championship.

It remains to be seen whether he is within Wanderers’ financial reach, however, as the 40-year-old is likely to insist his managerial team of Johan Mjallby and Garry Parker come with him to the North West.

Lennon is not the only strong contender, however, with ex-Norwich City and Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton still a candidate who ticks many of the boxes in the club’s search.

Hughton has the kind of experience necessary but is also in the frame for the vacant job at Fulham – a situation shared by ex-West Brom boss Steve Clarke, who has also made contact with the Whites.

Sources close to ex-Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay also insisted yesterday he had engaged in positive talks with Bolton despite rumours to the contrary in South Wales.

The 42-year-old came out on top of a fans’ poll run by Wanderers website Burnden Aces, beating Lennon and Steve Clarke into second and third place, respectively.

It is understood his lingering involvement in an FA investigation could cloud his chances, however, with Phil Gartside keen to make a fresh start as quickly as possible.

Wanderers travel to Birmingham City next weekend with a trip to Charlton Athletic the following Tuesday, and the club are keen to allow the new manager as much time as possible to assess his squad.