Manager Clayton may be tempted by Newcastle
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Old Rutlishians Reserves manager Graham Clayton has been installed
as the bookmakers' favourite to take over from Graeme Souness,
who was sacked by Newcastle last week.
Old Ruts President Gavin Lennard said: "We've got no comment
to make. Graham has got a job to do here and is under contract.
It is absolutely vital that he stays as no-one counts the kit after
a game as well as Graham."
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IN THE RUNNING
Graham Clayton 5/2
Martin O'Neill 3/1
Alan Shearer 6/1
Kevin Keegan 20/1
David O'Leary 25/1
Paul Gascoigne 500/1
Elvis Presley 3,000/1
Lord Lucan 5,000/1
Shergar 25,000/1
Erol Yilmaz 8,000,000/1
Odds provided by Ladbrokes
on 6/2/06
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Also in the frame are former Celtic boss Martin
O'Neill and Magpies' skipper Alan Shearer.
But Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd will take his time to line up a replacement for Souness and said: "We've already had a lot of top names applying for the job.
"The board won't be hurried. We have to get
the appointment right. We'll take our time. I texted our number
one choice on Saturday and am awaiting a response."
Clayton himself has admitted
all the speculation surrounding his future is a distraction.
He has been linked with the Newcastle United
and England job in recent weeks following his impressive record
at Poplar Road.
But he is hoping to put all the speculation
to one side so that he can focus on the Rut's crucial clash
with Chiddingfold Reserves this weekend. "You cannot help speculation,"
said Clayton as he munched on a bag of chips. "But it is
a distraction and you cannot allow it to affect your focus."
"My focus is the Ruts. The distraction
of the England situation is enough for me without getting distracted
by Newcastle as well."
Star player and fans favourite Steve Nicola
- tipped as an outsider for the World Cup squad after his Man
of the Match performance on Saturday - was not happy about all
the rumours. "I hope the big fella doesn't go, he's the reason
I signed for this club. I wouldn't win half as much money at
the poker table if he left."
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I hope Clayts doesn't get the job, he might
try and play young Titus Bramble up front with Shearer
If Clayton goes the only replacement we'll have
is Yilmaz. It's very worrying, the lads are all concerned
Match of the Day: Post-match interviews