Ryan Lowe is next Motherwell manager contender but Billy Davies has board support over emotional Fir Park return

Ryan Lowe is under consideration for the vacant Motherwell job.

The former Preston North End manager has been put forward to the Fir Park board. The 46-year-old - previously linked with the Rangers job - has been out of football since he left Deepdale at the start of the season and has emerged as a stronger contender to replace Stuart Kettlewell, who resigned earlier this week.

Lowe asked to leave Preston by mutual consent just one game into the season. Lowe spent nearly three years in the Championship with Preston and prior to that had impressive stints at Plymouth Argyle and Bury. The Englishman - a close friend of former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard - has led Plymouth and Bury to promotions from England’s League Two.

Motherwell chief executive officer Brian Caldwell is currently taking applications and shortlisting potential candidates. Caldwell has admitted that they haven’t been short of applicants from all over the globe. Caldwell confirmed: “We had over 50 applicants in 24 hours. “We have had interest from all over the world. “It is now a case of going through the information received and to try to sift through them and take it to the next step.”

Assistant Steve Frail and coach Jon Obika will take the team for the weekend clash with Celtic but Caldwell admitted that is very much a short-term measure. He added: “Ideally, you get them in sooner rather than later. “It is also really important we get the right person. “If that takes longer than our ideal time scale then it is more important to get the right person.”

Motherwell’s board have indicated that experience will be important in this next appointment. Former Motherwell boss Billy Davies also has support on the board over a possible return.

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