Jimmy Nicholl (right) has acknowledged interest in the NI job

The Irish Football Association met on Thursday night to draw up a shortlist for the position left vacant by Sammy McIlroy's resignation.

BBC Sport understands that the IFA deferred any decision on whether the post should be full-time or part-time.

Dunfermline assistant Nicholl has indicated that he will only take the job if the position is full-time.

IFA president Jim Boyce told the meeting that Oldham Athletic had refused a request to allow their manager Iain Dowie to be interviewed for the job.

In any case, Dowie appears to be out of the picture for the Northern Ireland role as he is expected to be appointed Crystal Palace manager over the weekend.

Dowie set for Palace job

Apart from Nicholl, Gerry Armstrong appears to be the only other serious candidate for the job.

Boyce told IFA delegates on Thursday night that the new manager would be appointed by the end of January.

Ipswich's former international captain Jim Magilton has backed Nicholl's credentials for the post.

Magilton was a key player in the Northern Ireland squad when Nicholl worked as Billy Bingham's assistant with the international set-up.

''The first thing that struck me about Jimmy was his enthusiasm,' said Magilton.

I missed out on the job once before and I wouldn't want that to happen again Jimmy Nicholl

''He was groomed for the post before, learnt the ropes under Billy Bingham and was fantastic with the players.

''It was the natural progression for him to get the job when Billy retired, but it didn't happen.''

The 73-times capped Nicholl has done little to play down his interest in the Northern Ireland job.

"I missed out on the job once before and I wouldn't want that to happen again," he said.

Pars boss Jimmy Calderwood has said he would not stand in Nicholl's way if he was offered the international position.

McIlroy quits NI for Stockport

Nicholl looked set to take charge of his country in 1994 but could not agree terms with the IFA, after which Bryan Hamilton accepted the job.

The new Northern Ireland manager faces a tough task reviving the fortunes of a side that last scored a goal 14 games ago and have slipped to 118th in the world rankings.