With Neil Warnock, Stuart Pearce and Malky Mackay all ruling themselves out of the running (whether they have been offered it or not), academy coach Gary Brazil attempts to keep the Reds in the play-off places when they travel to Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Daily Telegraph website is reporting that Clarke is now emerging as a credible alternative although he remains on gardening leave from West Bromwich Albion where his December dismissal was seen as harsh.