WIMBORNE Town have not approached Steve Riley as part of their search for a new manager – as speculation continues to link Gary Borthwick with the vacancy.

Bashley boss Riley, who has led the New Forest outfit into the Southern League Premier Division, is one of the area’s most highly rated non-league managers.

Wimborne are targeting candidates with proven records at a higher level, but Magpies director Paul Miller believes Riley would be out of his club’s reach.

“We wouldn’t expect Steve to drop from the Southern League to the Wessex League,” Miller told the Echo.

“He’s doing a good job at Bashley. We haven’t put an approach in for Steve.”

With Riley and early frontrunner James Wood now seemingly out of the frame, former Cherries player Borthwick is the person being linked most heavily with the vacancy.

Although he would not be drawn on the identities of possible candidates, Miller added: “A few more people have put their names in the hat, but we arranged two meetings – one we had on Saturday – and one today.”

A potential contender to have come forward in recent days is former Winchester City boss Steve Tate, the Echo understands.

Tate led City into the Southern League and played a part in the club’s FA Vase success.

Other names to be linked with the position vacated by Christer Warren last week are Mark Morris, the ex-Cherries star, and Andy Leader.

Warren exited Cuthbury by “mutual consent”, according to chairman Ken Stewart, following the club’s inconsistent start to the Wessex League campaign.