NOTTINGHAM Forest have drawn up a shortlist of five potential managers as they look to make an appointment before the weekend.

Chief executive Mark Arthur revealed today that the club have been delighted with the quality of the applicants since Colin Calderwood's departure.

And, while he refused to confirm whether the likes of Billy Davies, Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley, Ian Dowie and Adie Boothroyd were among the men the club are considering, he did admit: "We are looking for somebody with Championship experience."

Arthur continued: "We have got our list down to four or five potential candidates and we hope to make an appointment in the next few days. Certainly, we would like to have somebody in place before the weekend.

"Since it was announced that Colin was leaving we have been very pleased with the number and the quality of the applicants.

"It would be unfair to name names, because some of them are still in employment with other clubs. But we would prefer somebody who has experience of managing at a Championship level."

Forest will also make their decision based on the ability of the new man to steer their young squad through the relegation battle.

"In addition, with us having what we believe is a young, talented squad that is full of potential, we obviously want somebody who has a past record of working with young players and developing them as well," he said.

"There has been a lot of interest in the job but we believe we are a club that still has a lot to offer. It is a great club with a proud history, there is no debt and we have a chairman willing to invest in improving the squad. It has to be the right player at the right price, but there will be the chance to go into the transfer market.

"We also have a lot of faith in the squad that is already here. I think there is a clear learning curve to acclimatising to Championship life, which is perhaps demonstrated by our steady improvement over the past 12 matches or so."

Arthur admitted the club did have potential replacements in mind before Calderwood's departure. "But, since he has left, we have seen more people come into the frame who are worthy of consideration," he said.

John Pemberton will again take charge of the side at Manchester City in the FA Cup if a new manager is not appointed by then.