KELVIN Davis has revealed that Saints chairman Nicola Cortese has told the players he is prepared to wait “however long it takes” to appoint the right man as the club’s new boss.

Saints are searching for a new boss following the controversial sacking of Alan Pardew on Monday.

A whole host of names have already been linked with the St Mary’s hot-seat since then, including former Hull City boss Phil Brown, who declared his interest in yesterday’s Daily Echo.

The number of applications for the vacant job had already reached double figures by the end of Monday.

By Tuesday night it was being reported that more than 30 managers had officially thrown their hats into the ring.

Club captain Davis said Cortese has informed the players that getting the right man is more important than the time it takes to find the next Saints boss.

And he is backing the chairman’s approach.

“In the meetings we have had he (Cortese) has spoken about getting the right man in and he wants to do that however long it takes,” he said.

“It’s important that the right person is found to continue what we want to achieve.”