By Scott Cooper
July 17 2006

SOURCES close to Molineux suggest that Wolves have narrowed the manager search down to three men, with Stuart Gray, a manager already in work and an out of work manager all on the list.

We were told last week by a source close to Molineux that the Wolves shortlist was down to three candidates, however we agreed to keep the names and the source under wraps.

However after being inundated with Emails asking for the identity of the trio, we were able to persuade the source to allow us to publish the names which we believe to be on the Wolves final shortlist.

They include current caretaker boss Stuart Gray, former Ipswich Town boss Joe Royle and former Molineux assistant and current Cheltenham Town boss John Ward.

Wolves Chief Executive Jez Moxey admitted on Saturday evening that the board were "down to single figures" however our source has indicated that the Gray, Royle and Ward trio top the boards shortlist of preferred choices.

Stuart Gray immediately put his name forward for the job - as he did following the sacking of Dave Jones in 2004 - whilst it is understood Joe Royle is looking to get back into management following his "mutual consent" departure from Ipswich Town back in May this year.

John Ward has only recently signed a new five year deal which should keep him at Whaddon Road until 2011, however despite publicly denying a move to Wolves was on the cards, the Cheltenham boss would surly find it hard to turn down a move back to Molineux.

The Fans favourite is undoubtedly club captain Paul Ince. Moxey admitted on Saturday night that the former England Captain was still in contention for the job, however Moxey seemingly ruled out Ince at the clubs Fans Parliament last week when he admitted "We're looking for a manager who has some experience and who possibly has some experience in winning promotion"

The above comment appears to put Ince out of the frame whilst the quote - and the confirmation that Wolves HAD approached managers who hadn't applied for the position - puts Royle, Gray and Ward right in line.

Above quotes by Jez Moxey from the clubs official website; www.wolves.co.uk