Reading are yet to speak to any prospective candidates as they look to appoint a new manager following the decision to part company with Brian McDermott, Press Association Sport understands.
McDermott was relieved of his duties at the Madejski Stadium on Monday afternoon with the Royals languishing in 19th place in the Barclays Premier League table. Paolo Di Canio and Roberto Di Matteo have both been strongly linked with the vacancy but it is understood that no discussions have taken place with anyone at this stage.
That means academy manager Eamonn Dolan is likely to be in charge for Saturday's trip to league leaders Manchester United, looking to arrest a run of four successive league defeats.
Di Canio was present for Reading's 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday and the former Swindon boss remains the bookmakers' favourite to be appointed by Russian owner Anton Zingarevich.
Former Royals midfielder John Salako feels Di Canio would be a good choice to replace McDermott and could inspire the squad to secure top-flight survival.
"This might be the perfect moment for Paolo Di Canio," Salako told talkSPORT. "He has fallen out with the Swindon guys, he's walked away, he's in-between jobs and he might be the perfect answer.
"He could come in on an interim basis, they will say to him, 'let's see how it goes until the summer. Show us what you can do'. He will go and fire up that dressing room, grab people by the neck, throw cups of tea around and not let people slack off."
Several of Reading's players have used Twitter to thank McDermott for his achievements at the club after the 51-year-old guided Reading back to the Premier League last season.
He only collected the Barclays Manager of the Month award for January 33 days before being shown the door by Zingarevich, with first-team coach Nigel Gibbs also leaving the club.
In their initial statement Reading said they were actively seeking a replacement as soon as possible but it would appear they have not yet identified their number one target.
Source: PA
