BURNLEY chiefs could spring a surprise when naming the new manager next week.

Chairman Barry Kilby was today holed up conducting final interviews before settling on the new man to take charge at Turf Moor.

I can reveal Kilby spoke to one leading contender on Thursday and was expected to meet another at a secret location later today.

However, all of the early favourites to land the post have yet to be contacted by the club following their initial interviews.

And with Kilby insisting he hopes to unveil the chosen one early next week, that throws open the real possibility that a surprise candidate has since emerged as the new target.

As of this morning, neither Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore or former Wrexham and Swansea chief Brian Flynn had been been summoned for a second interview.

I understand Moore is also set to become a top target for Hull City, should England persuade manager Peter Taylor to take over from David Platt as boss of the nation's Under 21 side.

Another leading candidate for the Clarets vacancy, ex-Blackpool boss Steve McMahon, was this morning still at his Spanish holiday home awaiting a phone call, while early contender Colin Lee is holidaying in America.

Definitely not in the frame is former Coventry boss Eric Black, who was flying out on holiday yesterday and confirmed he has never been in the running for the job.

This opens up the possibility that Steve Cotterill and Phil Brown are back in contention, along with other names being kept under wraps.

The latest name to be linked with the vacancy is QPR boss Ian Holloway, who is haggling over a new deal at Loftus Road.

But assistant Bolton boss Brown is understood to have met officials from Burnley last Wednesday and remains hopeful of securing his first permanent managerial post.

The club are refusing to comment on any speculation with negotiations now at such a critical stage.

Turf Moor hosts a glittering reunion tomorrow evening to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 1994 Second Division play-off winning side.

Many of the players from the Wembley victory over Stockport will be present at the gala dinner in the James Hargreaves Stand, where guest speakers for the night will be Jamie Hoyland and Peter Swan.