HULL CITY: New boss to be in place by Thursday

CHAIRMAN Adam Pearson expects Phil Brown's replacement to be in place by Thursday morning.

Brown has been placed on "gardening leave", with assistant boss Brian Horton and Steve Parkin put in charge of preparing the team for Saturday's clash at Portsmouth.

But Pearson believes one of "about five people" on a shortlist will be in the job for the visit to Fratton Park.

In fact, he hopes to make the decision by tomorrow night.

However, the new manager will not be Alan Curbishley.

Pearson said: "I wouldn't think that is someone we will be pursuing.

"He is a fantastic manager, but it's someone we need to be able to get in straight away and he is not on that list."

Asked whether it would be former Bolton manager Gary Megson, Pearson said: "I'm not going to go through them all."

The City chairman added the new man will be someone who has presence and can create an impact, who knows about survival and about the Premiership.

Pearson also suggested it could be someone appointed until the end of the season.

Asked if Horton could be one of the candidates Pearson said: "Steve and Brian are definitely in there.

"They are preparing the team in their usual professional way.

"I can't say any more than that on their positions at this stage."