Bristol Rovers have been rocked this morning by the news that manager Graham Coughlan has been allowed to hold talks with League Two club Mansfield Town over the vacant manager position.

The Irishman has taken Bristol Rovers up to fourth in the League One table this season, and the club will be assessing potential targets to help them maintain their play-off push.

Here are five replacements for Coughlan who Bristol Rovers should be considering to take over the reigns at The Memorial Stadium...

Bristol-born Ian Holloway would be an ideal candidate for the Bristol Rovers board.

Having had three productive spells while a player for the Pirates, becoming a fan favourite, he then went on to start his managerial career with his boyhood club in 1996.

Spending five years in charge, he then went on to manage at a higher level, including taking Blackpool into the Premier League at the start of the decade.

Michael Jolley has been out of work since last month having left Grimsby Town, and he could be the ideal candidate for Rovers.

The former Burnley under-21 manager has time on his side and has the relative experience in the Football League to make a difference at The Memorial Stadium.

Tisdale has been out of work since leaving MK Dons last month, and being from the area, the lure of returning closer to home could put him in contention for the role.

Having achieved a promotion at every club he's managed, he has the know-how to try and take Rovers further up the league pyramid.

The former goalkeeper has been in charge of National League side Solihull Moors since 2015, and he could be in contention for the Bristol Rovers job.

Having guided Solihull into the play-off places in the fifth tier, he could see an opportunity of making the step up and testing himself as a manager in the Football League.

While Michael Flynn is currently happy within his role at Newport, having been successful there, he could see the Bristol Rovers job as a chance to prove himself at League One level.

He has helped turn Newport around since taking over there, and he could be a good option for Bristol Rovers to consider.