England Women’s Under-17 coach Lydia Bedford and the Football Association’s former head of women’s development Brent Hills have emerged as leading contenders to fill Leicester City Women’s vacant managerial role.

Telegraph Sport understands Bedford and Hills could work together at the Women’s Super League club, who have identified them as their preferred targets and are hoping to name a new coaching staff this week, according to sources. It is understood Bedford is the club’s first choice as manager, while Leicester hope Hills would join her in a supporting role.

The WSL’s bottom side, who are without a point so far in their first top-flight campaign, sacked manager Jonathan Morgan on Thursday. He had been in charge since the 2014-15 season and led Leicester to promotion to the WSL by winning the Championship title last term as well as reaching last year’s League Cup semi-finals, but the club have suffered eight losses from eight league games so far this season.

Former England and Leicester forward and the club’s head of women’s football development, Emile Heskey, has been overseeing training while the manager search is carried out.