Club owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey spoke with bookmakers' favourite Alan Curbishley on Thursday and then met Steve Bruce on Friday.
Ideally Morgan and Moxey would like McCarthy's successor in place in time for next Saturday's game at Newcastle, but Moxey knows how crucial it is to bring in the best possible replacement.
Steve Morgan: "Things are progressing. We are continuing to work to the timetable we indicated at the outset of this process and remain optimistic we will be able to fulfil those requirements.
"Our intention has always been to have a new manager installed in time to take charge of the team for the Newcastle match and that remains the case.
"But, I stress, we want the right candidate, not the quick candidate."