McCain has shortlisted Grey Worldwide London, Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper and TBWA\London for the second round of the review, which kicked off last year following the closure of D'Arcy.
Leo Burnett lost the account it should have inherited from D'Arcy because of client conflict with the agency's flagship Heinz business.
Last month, Campbell Doyle Dye dropped out of the review and resigned its place on the McCain's roster, after citing what it described as "unsuitable dynamics" between itself and the food company as the reason behind the split.
The agency was appointed to the roster when it was handed the £4m McCain's Vibes product launch brief without a pitch in August.
CDD had initially been shortlisted along with Grey Worldwide London, Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper and Mustoes for the business.
McCain decided to hold off on an immediate pitch last year, while it used the branding agency Elephants Can't Jump to look at its brand and communications strategy.
McCain is best known for its range of frozen potato products, which include HomeFries, Oven Chips, Stringfellows, Southern Fries, Micro Chips, Mega Micro Chips, Home Roasts, Savoury Wedges, mashed potato Smiles and Hash Browns.
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