EXCLUSIVE: FORMER Chelsea duo Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet are being lined up to lead Swindon Town's bid for promotion next season.

The Swindon Advertiser believes Wise has been interviewed for the manager's role at the County Ground and that he would want to bring in his former Chelsea colleague as his assistant.

And it could be that Wise, will follow in the footsteps of Lou Macari and Glenn Hoddle by combining management with playing.

There has been growing speculation surrounding Iffy Onuora's position although it is by no means certain that Wise will either accept, or has indeed been formally offered the post.

And the board have yet to formally sit down with current boss Onuora to discuss his fate.

Wise and Poyet, are thought to have met Town officials for talks yesterday and been shown training facilities.

Wise, 39, ended last season playing for Championship outfit Coventry City.

Prior to that he had been boss at Millwall, leading the Lions to the 2004 FA Cup final, where they were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United.

Before moving into management he began his career as a member of Wimbledon's Crazy Gang', helping them to Wembley glory against Liverpool in 1988 and he held aloft the famous old trophy again 12 years later as Chelsea saw off Aston Villa 1-0 in the last final to be played at the old Wembley Stadium.

He also took in Leicester City and Southampton on his travels.

A change in the boardroom at the New Den saw Wise move on, having earned plaudits for his work at the London club.

Now it seems as though he is ready for a new managerial challenge in Wiltshire, assisted by former Uruguayan international Poyet, 38.

However, it could be the end of the week before anything is finalised and the picture becomes somewhat clearer.

Town deputy chairman Mark Devlin did not wish to be drawn on the matter as the Swindon Advertiser went to press.

He said: "I have no comment to make at this time."