MICK McCARTHY'S hopes ofmaking a swift return to Premiership management appear to be hanging by a thread.

The former Sunderland boss has been given a date next week for a second interview for the vacant manager's job at Charlton after their top target, Peter Taylor, pulled out of the running for the role on Thursday night.

Despite the sudden growth in the possibility of the former Republic of Ireland boss taking charge at The Valley, the Addicks have now earmarked Preston's Billy Davies as the man they want.

Charlton have made an approach for Davies and it appears as if the Scotsman will be in discussions with the Premiership club in the next 72 hours.

If talks go well, that would signal the end of McCarthy's attempts to jump straight back into management after his sacking at the Stadium of Light in March, before he even has a chance of impressing in his follow-up grilling.

Davies led Preston to the Championship play-offs in successive seasons and chairman Derek Shaw said: "I received a phone call from Charlton on Thursday afternoon.

"They asked for permission to speak to Billy Davies (and) after discussing it with him it was agreed that permission would be granted.

''Billy Davies' representative will be in touch with Charlton and I believe the meeting has been scheduled for Monday.

"The club felt that if permission had not been granted things could have turned sour.

"We felt it was in the best interests of both parties to allow talks to take place."

Davies, the former Motherwell boss, has caught the attention of top-flight clubs both north and south of the border.

Less than a week ago he insisted he was in ''no rush'' to leave Deepdale after being linked with a move to Hearts.

He said: ''I'll only leave if myself and the board feel it is the right thing for the club.''

But an official approach from the Valley was enough to convince Davies he wanted to hear what the Barclays Premiership club has to offer.

Last night it was revealed Charlton have been denied permission to speak to highly-rated Colchester manager Phil Parkinson.

Colchester, who were promoted to the Coca-Cola Championship this month, have confirmed that they have rebuffed approaches from the Addicks, as well as Championship sides Ipswich and Derby.

A statement from the club read: ''In view of recent speculation surrounding approaches from other clubs regarding Phil Parkinson, Colchester can confirm that they have refused permission for three clubs to speak to the manager. The Us have refused approaches from Charlton Athletic, Ipswich and Derby.

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