MICHAEL Appleton has emerged as favourite for the vacant manager's job at Burnley.

Odds have dropped on the Portsmouth boss from 6/1 earlier in the day to 11/4.

Appleton is believed to be on the Burnley board's shortlist for Eddie Howe's successor, along with Barnsley boss Keith Hill and former Clarets midfielder Micky Mellon, who last season led Fleetwood Town into the Football League for the first time in the club's history.

Salford-born Appleton, who has also been linked with the vacant manager's position at nearby Bolton Wanderers, played down the rumours following Pompey's 2-0 win over Crewe.

“I have not spoken to anyone from Bolton and I haven’t talked to Burnley, either,” he said.

“It is nice to be linked because it means you are doing something right.”