Tooting & Mitcham director of football Nigel Wood admits the Terrors are eager to confirm their new boss within the next week as they look to banish the air of uncertainty at Imperial Fields.

With the recent resignation of management duo Billy Smith and George Wakeling sending shockwaves through the Tooting ranks, the Ryman Premier side have moved swiftly to fill the vacancy.

And Wood reveals an appointment is to be expected sooner rather than later.

He said: “We have had a good number of applications and a number of interviews have already taken place.

“That process will continue but ideally we would like to have the situation resolved by early next week.

“It has been a pretty long process and it has been a case of the sublime to the ridiculous - we had one candidate apply stating his major achievement was taking Burton Albion to the Champions League on Fifa 10.

“But overall we are happy with the standard and that is very encouraging.”

With both Paul and Joe Vines signalling their intention to quit the Terrors in the wake of Smith’s departure, the playing staff that will turn out for Tooting next season remains a mystery.

And with a 40 per cent budget cut on the horizon, Wood accepts that has added fresh impetus to the situation.

He added: “Players will always want to go and have a look at what is on offer to them and ours are no different.

“I think a lot of them will also be waiting to see just who we bring in before they make a decision.

“That is why we want the matter dealt with quickly.

“We are certainly not rushing any decision and we will not appoint someone for the sake of it, but it is vital that we start building for the future as soon as we can.”