READING FC are hoping to appoint a new manager before Saturday’s trip to Rotherham United (3pm ko).

Royals are confident of naming Paul Clement’s replacement possibly as early as Thursday morning, with Luis Castro still the clear bookmakers’ favourite.

Nigel Howe, who returned as club CEO last week, is said to have handed a 10-man shortlist to the club’s Chinese owners, who were present for the 2-0 home defeat by Sheffield United on Saturday which plunged Reading into the Championship relegation zone.

Under 23s manager Scott Marshall was put in charge of that game, but afterwards he accepted his chances of landing the role on a full-time basis are extremely slim.

Vitoria Guimaraes boss Castro remains the hot favourite with reports suggesting ‘super agent’ Kia Joorabchian has flown to Portugal to offer the 57-year-old, who speaks little English, an 11m euro salary package and the promise of 100m euros to spend on players.

Portuguese media are now reporting Castro will make a public announcement on his position later today.

Ex-Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce and Slavisa Jokanovic, who secured promotion to the Premier League with Fulham, are also among the leading contenders.

The Reading Chronicle understands former Royals skipper Phil Parkinson is another strong candidate.

Reading Chronicle:

Phil Parkinson was picture chatting on his phone before Bolton's clash at Norwich City at the weekend.

It is believed some members of the club’s hierarchy have been championing the case for Bolton boss Parkinson.

The 51-year-old led them to promotion to the Championship in 2017, kept them up last season on a shoestring budget and could be looking for an escape route with the cash-strapped Trotter currently embroiled in a wages dispute with the players, none of whom have received their November salary.

Parkinson returned to haunt his old club in August when Bolton beat Reading 1-0 at Madejski Stadium with a Yanic Wildschut winner.

Bolton currently lie one place off the bottom of the Championship after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at leaders Norwich, and one place below Royals.

Parkinson is currently on a one-year rolling contract and would not cost Reading much in terms of compensation.

It is known he spoke with Reading when they were looking for Jaap Stam’s replacement in March before offering the job to Clement.

Wycombe Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth also makes the shortlist.

Reading Chronicle:

Gareth Ainsworth's Wycombe are riding high in League One.

The 45-year-old, who lives in the Finchampstead area, guided the Chairboys to promotion to League One last season and they are currently ninth in the table and four points off the play-offs after beating fifth-placed Barnsley 1-0 at home on Saturday.

Ainsworth has never made a secret of his desire to manage at a higher level one day and would welcome the opportunity to take over the reins at Madejski Stadium.

Former Swansea City manager Francesco Guidolin is also among the shorter-priced options with the bookmakers.

Latest odds with SkyBet on the next Reading FC manager: Luis Castro 4/7, Steve Bruce 3/1, Francesco Guidolin 10/1, Phil Parkinson 12/1, Slavisa Jokanovic 12/1, Graeme Murty 16/1, Scott Marshall 20/1, Alan Pardew 25/1, Carlos Carvalhal 25/1, Gareth Ainsworth 25/1, Mark Hughes 28/1, Mark Warburton 28/1, Danny Cowley 33/1, David Moyes 33/1, Michael Appleton 33/1, Steve Coppell 33/1, Brian McDermott 40/1, Nigel Pearson 40/1, Harry Redknapp 50/1, Sam Allardyce 50/1.