RONNIE Jepson insists it will be business as usual as he takes the Shakers to Portsmouth for their first game since the sacking of Kevin Blackwell.

The 50-year-old former Gigg Lane striker takes charge of first team affairs at Fratton Park following the departure of Blackwell on Monday afternoon.

Jepson has managerial experience at Gillingham on his CV but is not being drawn into a debate over taking the position on full time.

Instead, he wants to focus on leading Bury away from relegation trouble.

“I don’t want to talk about the job out of respect for the chairman in what is a difficult time for the club,” he said.

“My focus is on doing the best I can for the football club with Ben (Futcher), Fred (Barber) and the rest of the backroom staff here.

“We have some difficult fixtures ahead of us, starting with Portsmouth.

“All my energy will be put into trying to get as many points as possible for the club and we will see where that takes us.”

While Jepson is keeping his own counsel on his future aspirations at Gigg Lane, other managers in the running for the job have been more vocal.

Jon Coleman – the former Accrington Stanley and Rochdale boss – confirmed his application for the role earlier this week, while former Newcastle midfielder Nolberto Solano and Leeds striker Noel Whelan are reported to have applied.

Other strong early contenders for the post include Chorley boss Garry Flitcroft, honorary Forever Bury chairman Chris Lucketti , who is currently coaching at Fleetwood Town, former Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson and Everton coach David Unsworth.

But while the club has confirmed it has received around 40 applications for the post, chairman Stewart Day has not put a time frame on the interview process.

“The most important thing now is stability,” he said in a statement to The Bury Times yesterday.

“We have a tough run of games coming up over the next few weeks and we want that stability in the team.

“We have been inundated with applications for the position, and we will take the time needed to assess those applications.

“The decision we make will be for the best interests of the club and moving the club forward.”

Jepson’s attempts to inspire a Bury revival could be hampered this weekend with the news that Craig Jones is struggling to recover from the groin strain he picked up in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Morecambe.