National LeagueBohemians begin the process of finding a successor to manager Gareth Farrelly when they convene a board meeting on Monday night. For the moment, coaches Pat Cleary and Alan Caffrey take charge for tonight's game with Drogheda United at Dalymount Park after club captain Kevin Hunt turned down the offer of interim manager.

"I discussed it, and to be honest, with both Pat and Alan staying on, I wasn't too comfortable about going over their heads," said 31-year-old midfielder Hunt, who has now played under four different managers in his eight seasons at the club. "They are experienced coaches. I'm also just about ready to get back playing having been out for six weeks after a knee operation.

"I'm working on my fitness and may even be on the bench tonight."

Hunt may have little option but to take a place on the bench, such is Bohemians shortage of players, particularly in attack. Stephen Ward is with the Ireland under-21s in Galway; Mark Leech is ineligible; Paul Devlin is unavailable and likely to leave following Farrelly's departure, while Vinny Arkins suffered a hamstring injury in Tuesday's FAI Cup replay defeat.

Things are scarcely better elsewhere in the team. In defence, Des Byrne is out with a thigh problem while Barry Ferguson and Stephen Caffrey have had the flu this week.

If it's any consolation to Bohemians, Drogheda have one or two problems as well.

Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon, meanwhile, refused to discuss speculation linking him to the vacant post at Bohemians.

"I'm not getting dragged into it; I've nothing to say on it at all," said Fenlon, with a win at Bray Wanderers tonight his primary concern.

Victory will put Shelbourne back top of the table, but captain Owen Heary, with a hamstring tear, has joined leading scorer Jason Byrne on the sidelines.