Plymouth Argyle are looking to appoint the successor to former head coach Wayne Rooney before the Emirates FA Cup third round tie at Brentford next Saturday, Plymouth Live understands.

That would give the new boss the chance to prepare for a crucial period of three home Championship games in eight days, starting against Oxford United on Tuesday, January 14. The Pilgrims will then take on Queens Park Rangers on January 18 and Burnley on January 22.

Plymouth Live has been told by one source that Argyle have been talking to seven potential candidates and that their former League One title-winning manager Steven Schumacher is among them.

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Schumacher was evens in the betting market for the Pilgrims' vacancy with Bet Victor on Saturday night but those odds were cut significantly to 1/4 by this morning.

Ryan Lowe, another ex-promotion Argyle manager, was the second favourite at 4/1 followed by David Wagner, whose previous clubs include Huddersfield Town and Norwich City, at 16/1.

Schumacher, who was dismissed by Stoke City only five games into the current Championship campaign, was also the 13/8 joint favourite with Bet Victor today to be appointed by West Bromwich Albion. He was on the same odds as Blackburn Rovers' John Eustace, with Swansea City's Luke Williams at 5/2.

Sky Bet also had Schumacher at 1/4 favourite this morning to take over at Argyle, followed by Lowe and Wagner both at 10/1.

First team coach Kevin Nancekivell and injured club captain Joe Edwards have taken temporary charge of the Pilgrims since the departure of Rooney on New Year's Eve. They have guided the team to back-to-back draws, 2-2 at home to Bristol City on New Year's Day 0-0 away to Stoke City on Saturday.

Nancekivell said after the game against Stoke: "Joe and I will will just carry on until we are told different. I'm sure the club will announce anything if there is anything to be announced.

"I'm in contact with Andrew (Parkinson, Argyle's chief executive officer) and Simon (Hallett, the club's owner and chairman) daily. They are asking if I'm alright, if Joe is alright, and is there anything they can do for us. They have asked about the team and is training okay. Anything else is irrelevant for me at the minute and I'm sure they will just be getting on with their work."

Not only do Argyle have a new boss to appoint, but official confirmation is expected soon that Neil Dewsnip has left his director of football role at the club.

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