PILGRIMS' boss Paul Sturrock will be in London today hoping to speed up his search for a new coach.

Sturrock will be in the capital as part of Plymouth Argyle's and the city's bid to host World Cup matches in 2018.

Sturrock will also hope to persuade Argyle chairman Sir Roy Gardner and other board members to give him the green light to sign a new coach.

Over the past couple of weeks, Sturrock has lost the services of both Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley as the Championship club shake up their coaching roster.

Both defensive coach Blackley and Summerfield had worked alongside Sturrock for most of this decade.

Although Sturrock's coaching options have been boosted with the signing of Paul Mariner from New England Revolution, the Scot admitted he is hoping to persuade the board to allow him to bring in another coach as quickly as possible.

Sturrock is also being assisted by head of youth Mike Pejic, who was in the dug-out for yesterday's reserve team clash with visiting Exeter City.

Former Pilgrims defender Graham Coughlan is thought to be a strong contender for the role.

But Sturrock would not confirm whether the popular Irishman was a frontrunner for the post and an emotional return to Home Park.

Sturrock said: "I shall be meeting up with some of the powers that be in London today.

"One of the topics we'll be discussing is that we're one coach light at the moment.

"We'd like to bring somebody else in so that would enable us to have the three of us working very hard together.

"But it's something I'll have to run by the board first."

Sturrock added: "Pej has come in to cover us at this minute in time.

"But it's not a full-time job for Mike. He'll be going back to work with the youth squad.

"Then he can come and help us as and when we need him.

"I've taken most of the training over the past week which has given me a freshness as well."

Joining Sturrock, Mariner and other Argyle representatives in London today will be supporters of the World Cup bid.

These include representatives from Plymouth City Council and the University of Plymouth, along with local council members from Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall, will meet with MPs and Lords to discuss the consortium's plans to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018.