Colin Malone is favourite to take over at Holm Park

Colin Malone is set for a return to Irish League management less than three weeks after being sacked at Glenavon.

Malone is expected to be appointed as manager of First Division strugglers Armagh City following the dismissal of Tony Bell.

The Holm Park club relieved Bell of his duties on Monday following a string of poor results.

Bell had been boosted by a recent win away to championship-chasing Ballymena United.

But, overall, the season has been disappointing for a club which had hoped to be in contention for one of the four promotion places in the eight-team First Division.

Armagh are currently level on points with bottom club Ballyclare Comrades who have an inferior goal difference.

Officials at Armagh had originally said they intended appointing a caretaker manager for Saturday's league game away to Bangor.

However, it is possible Malone may be installed before the trip to Clandeboye Park.

Malone was in charge of Dungannon Swifts before his two and a half years in the Glenavon hot seat.

He said he was keen to remain in football and was instantly earmarked as Bell's most likely successor.