Last updated 15:45, Wednesday, 05 November 2008

Former Carlisle United boss Neil McDonald has been made the shock second favourite by bookmakers to succeed John Ward.

Neil McDonald

Caretaker manager Greg Abbott – McDonald’s former number two – is the hot favourite at 6/4 with Victor Chandler.

But McDonald is next in line at 13/2 with former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill and Norwich assistant Lee Clark back at 7/1.

The Geordie, 43, who was sacked at Brunton Park after one game of last season, is now first-team coach at Leeds.

He said today: “It’s interesting that my name has been mentioned.

“I probably made a few supporters happy with the way we played and the results we got – it was just a shame the way it ended.

“The job is unfinished, I suppose. And you never know what’s around the corner in football. But I am enjoying what I am doing at Leeds. We are going well, second in the table, and we have given ourselves a good chance.”

Other names said to be in the running include Charlton number two Phil Parkinson, former Colchester gaffer Geraint Williams, Leicester chief Ian Holloway, ex-Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd and former United favourite Stan ternent, who was sacked by Huddersfield yesterday.

Former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is a surprise 16/1 shot along with former Carlisle heroes Peter Beardsley and Andy Preece.

Odds: Greg Abbott 6/4; Neil McDonald 13/2; Steve Cotterill, Lee Clark 7/1; Phil Parkinson 8/1; Geraint Williams 9/1; John Gregory, Ian Holloway, John Collins 10/1; Aidy Boothroyd 11/1; Stan Ternent, Colin Hendry 12/1; Mick Halsall 14/1; Sam Allardyce, Steve Kember, Peter Beardsley, Andy Preece 16/1; Eddie Gray 20/1; Graham Kavanagh 25/1; Wes Saunders 33/1.