CARETAKER boss Sean McCarthy does not expect to be in contention to replace Warren Feeney on a permanent basis as Newport County AFC manager.

The former Premier League striker, who joined the club as first team coach in the summer, was due to take charge of the Exiles alongside goalkeeping coach James Bittner on Saturday.

But the home clash with Stevenage was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Rodney Parade.

The pair will lead the side into Tuesday’s EFL Trophy home tie against Swansea City under-23s but a new manager is expected to be appointed on Thursday in time for the weekend trip to Colchester United.

Former Stevenage and Peterborough United manager Graham Westley is the current bookies favourite to get the job.

“I think he did a good job at Stevenage but Steve Cotterill was the favourite the other day,” said McCarthy.

“I’m sure the bookies will be having some fun and games but whoever comes in it’s a good club to take over.

“We shouldn’t be in the position we’re in but we are and it’s going to look even worse because we haven’t played.

“We’re at the bottom but we have got the two games in hand and when they do come up we’ve got to try to win them.”

Asked if fans should put any money on him landing the top job, McCarthy said: “No. I’m in a position at the moment where I’m looking after the team.

“The board haven’t said anything to me other than continue what you’re doing and that’s what I’ll continue to do.

“If we’d played [on Saturday] and got three points then things might have changed but they look like they’re going to be appointing someone this week and we’ll see what that brings.

“I think they’re going to make a decision by the middle of the week on whoever is coming in but in the meantime I think I’ll probably be here for Tuesday’s game.

“And I’d like to stay here, I like the club but we’ll have to wait and see on that.”

McCarthy is now focusing on preparing the team for Tuesday’s cup tie.

“It’s been a sad week with Warren and Andy [Todd] leaving – they brought me into the club,” he said.

“But we’ve had to get the players motivated, which we have done, and they were ready to play.

“At the moment I’m in the position to look after the team and that’s what I’ll continue to do until I’m told anything else.”

He added: “I think it’s very important, whatever decision they make, that it’s for the good of the football club.

“There’s a lot of football managers out there looking for work.

“Hopefully they won’t rush into a decision. It’s looking like it will happen before our trip to Colchester but it may not.”