Former Motherwell and Celtic striker Andy Walker has backed Stuart Kettlewell to land the manager's job at Fir Park on a permanent basis.
Kettlewell is understood to be the frontrunner for the gig, with former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway and ex-Peterborough boss Grant McCann also being under consideration.
The 38-year-old had been expected to be announced earlier this week as talks were held with the Fir Park hierarchy about him stepping up from his role as lead development manager.
There has been no sign of the Steelmen being prepared to announce who will succeed Steven Hammell, following his sacking in the aftermath of a 3-1 Scottish Cup defeat to Raith Rovers earlier this month.
But ahead of Saturday's big trip to fellow strugglers Kilmarnock, ex-Well forward Walker has told Sky Sports he reckons the former Ross County boss fits the bill and has backed him to continue his good work since taking caretaker charge.
Motherwell have earned back-to-back wins with a 2-1 triumph over St Mirren last midweek and a 2-0 win over Hearts on Sunday, taking them up to ninth in the table, and Walker said: "I think Stuart is a good coach, a good communicator.
"He's led the team to a couple of wins on an interim basis and I think he knows Scottish football.
"To beat Hearts, who are by far and away the third best team in Scotland, it's a notable victory and it shows there is a lot of life left in Motherwell yet.
"I think Stuart will realise there's still a lot to do but I think he is capable of leading them to safety.
"If it was me, I would give it to Stuart Kettlewell."
Walker was also asked how Hammell will be feeling seeing a sudden lift in performances among players he had brought to the club, having seen them fall to joint-bottom of the Premiership on a run of 11 games without a win before he was shown the door.
He added: "I think Stevie will have a couple of thoughts on his mind. I am sure he is happy that the team are winning and I am sure he knows that the consequences of relegation would mean job losses at the club.
"He is a big fans' favourite there and I think he always will be.
"He will be glad if Moltherwell survive and there will be no job losses but he will have some thoughts on his mind about how he couldn't get the players to get those points to get them away from trouble."
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
