CHRIS Eagles is keen for the Burnley board to make a swift decision over the identity of the club’s new manager so the players can focus on a push for promotion.

The Clarets are yet to appoint a new boss – almost two weeks after the departure of Brian Laws – with a number of candidates still in the frame.

Indications over the last few days have suggested that Malky Mackay may opt to stay at Watford but Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe and St Johnstone’s Derek McInnes are also still in contention, with chairman Barry Kilby saying that the club have moved on to their other targets after Paul Lambert decided to remain at Norwich.

But Eagles, who was Burnley’s man of the match in their 4-2 home win over Port Vale in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, hopes a decision will be made soon.

The winger is wary of the upheaval that could be brought by the arrival of a new manager and says his preference would be for caretaker boss Stuart Gray to stay in charge until the end of the season.

“I think the sooner it’s done the better, whether it’s Stuart or not,” said Eagles, who is desperate for a swift return to the Premier League this season.

“I want it to be him but if it’s not we need to knuckle down really because it’s another distraction, someone new coming in.

“They’re not going to know the strengths and weaknesses of the players and the team and it’s going to be hard.

“But I know as much as anyone else, I don’t know what’s going on.

“I’m very fond of Stuart, though. I’d like to see him in charge for the rest of the season and I’ll make that clear to whoever makes the decision.”

Gray, Laws’ former first-team coach, was installed as caretaker manager for three games - the Clarets won at home to Sheffield United and lost at Reading before Saturday’s match - and is now set to meet the board to find out their plans for the days ahead.

Eagles said: “I think the team spirit with Stuart behind us is very good.

“I really think the directors should think about who they want to manage the team because I think Stuart is doing a brilliant job.

“I’ve never been through these situations before, when Owen (Coyle) left and now obviously Brian going. It’s quite hard because it distracts you and you hear things.

“I was pleased Stuart took over and he’s had three games now and I think give him a few more because I think he’s got a brilliant future in front of him.

“Even when Brian was here, it’s not that we didn’t get on with Brian because obviously he’s the gaffer and you have to respect him.

"But with Stuart, I don’t know, he’s just got a football brain and especially with me being an attacking player his advice is very good.”