Clarets caretaker boss Stuart Gray could still be in charge when Burnley host Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, as the search for Brian Laws’ successor rumbles on.

It is almost two weeks since the 49-year-old was sacked by chairman Barry Kilby, follow-ing a disappointing home defeat to Scunthorpe United.

But after whittling a shortlist of candidates down to six, the Burnley board don’t seem to be any nearer to naming their new manager.

Watford boss Malky Mackay and Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe were among the early frontrunners for the position but a move to Turf Moor is looking increasingly unlikely for Mackay, while Howe was last night deciding his future – with Crystal Palace and Charlton having already made job offers.

Another favourite, former Chelsea and West Ham coach Steve Clarke, was yesterday appointed as first team coach under Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool and the latest developments could prompt Burnley to make an approach for Derek McInnes, who succeeded ex-Clarets boss Owen Coyle at St Johnstone.

After Norwich boss Paul Lambert pledged his future to the Canaries, when Burnley last week had their request for permission to speak with the former Celtic man rejected, Mackay is understood to have privately indicated that he would not walk out on his contract at Vicarage Road.

Watford have also made it clear they will not allow him to talk to the Clarets.

It now seems the only way Turf Moor chiefs would be able to appoint Mackay is if they were to offer Watford a compensation package the Hornets could not refuse.

However, his interest in the Turf Moor role is understood to have cooled since the middle of last week, while Watford, who are currently four places above the Clarets in the Championship table, are set to offer Mackay a new contract.

The latest developments leave McInnes firmly in the frame, although Burnley may have to wait until after St Johnstone's Scottish Cup game at Hearts tonight if they decide to make a move for the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder.