Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson tonight remained the strong favourite to replace Ian Paisley jr in the Stormont Executive.
Sources continued to tip the Lagan Valley MP to be the next junior minister in the power sharing executive when Mr Paisley eventually stands down.
The junior minister is expected to officially resign tomorrow after announcing his intention to quit seven days ago over a series of stories about his links to a developer, Seymour Sweeney.
Party sources speculated that Mr Paisley jr will make a statement to MLAs from the backbenches following his resignation in an attempt to avoid party leaders making their own statements if he quits while in office.
Bookmakers have made Mr Donaldson evens favourite for post. Up and coming DUP Assembly members Simon Hamilton and Peter Weir are being offered on odds of 2/1 and 3/1 respectively.
A party source said: "Jeffrey has been the favourite over the past week and there has been a view that it is his to accept or refuse.
"Ultimately it is down to the party leader as the nominating officer to decide who fills this post."