APPLICATIONS for the vacant manager's job at Oxford United have continued coming in at a steady rate, writes JON MURRAY.

And United chairman Kelvin Thomas says there are ten candidates already who, he believes, would make a good U's manager.

Among those believed to be interested in the job is Kettering Town boss Mark Cooper, who watched last night's game at Mansfield.

However, it's understood there is a clause in Cooper's contract at Rockingham Road which states Kettering would get anything up to £50,000 in compensation if he left, and that would be a major stumbling block for hard-up Oxford.

Caretaker-manager Jim Smith said after last night’s victory that: “It’s fair to say that a new manager would have to be free, there isn’t the money for us to pay a ‘transfer fee’.”

The deadline for applicants is understood to be Monday.

Former York manager Colin Walker stated live on Setanta that he would also be interested in the job.