Michael Carrick to Middlesbrough chances improved by reported West Bromwich Albion shortlist

Boro and West Brom were expected to be challenging for Championship promotion this season but have started it fighting relegation, meaning both are now on the lookout for managers in a similar, crowded market, which also includes Hull City.

Having reportedly been interviewed for the Boro job last week, Carrick was seen as the favourite to take over at the Riverside, but Corberan and former Barnsley defender Rob Edwards were also seen as contenders in some quarters.

Further talks between Carrick and Boro were expected on Tuesday but some have suggested the process is still a long way from resolution, and that even with a free week to sift through candidates, caretaker manager Leo Percovich could still be in charge at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

When West Brom sacked former Hull, Huddersfield, Sheffield United and Wednesday manager Steve Bruce on Monday it was thought they might also be interested in the 41-year-old former midfielder, who coached at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but only management experience was three games as caretaker – two won, one drawn.

But reports in the Midlands suggest their choice will boil down to Corberan, Millwall's Gary Rowett and Chris Wilder, who was sacked as Boro manager their poor start to the season.

Corberan was sacked after just 11 games in charge of Olympiacos but is highly-regarded for his work coaching alongside Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, and particularly for taking Huddersfield into last season's play-offs before leaving because he felt the club could not match his ambitions.

Former Middlesbrough players James Morrison and Gary Walsh, who also played in goal for Bradford City, after backing up caretaker manager Richard Beale at Bradford City.

Although neither Boro nor the Baggies play again until Saturday, but both will be wary the other is on the lookout for managers of a similar profile.

Hull seem to be working in a slightly different market, having tried to persuade Corberan's predecessor at Olympiacos, Pedro Martins, to take over there without success.