Former Rochdale boss Keith Hill is a big mover in the betting to be the next Carlisle United manager.

Hill - who was ex-United head coach Chris Beech's boss at Spotland - has seen his odds cut.

The former Tranmere and Bolton man is now 8/1 with Sky Bet.

Hill was sacked by Tranmere last spring despite the Wirral side finishing in the play-offs.

He could appeal to Brunton Park bosses if they want an experienced figure to try and lead them away from trouble in League Two.

It would be a remarkable turn of events should United, having sacked Beech, turn to his former close colleague to replace him.

Bookies' favourite John McGreal, who has been odds-on for several days, has seen his odds lengthen to 2/1 amid reports he has pulled out of the race.

Caretaker boss Gavin Skelton, who is set to take charge of his third game on Saturday, is 5/1, while former Crystal Palace coach and Bristol City boss Keith Millen has also emerged as a 5/1 shot.

An unlikely name to appear in the market tonight is Shefki Kuqi, the former Newcastle and Finland frontman Kuqi who is 12/1 with Sky Bet.

Kuqi, who has managed in Finland and spoken of his ambitions to manage in England, has been linked with United in past years but it would be a surprise if second-bottom Carlisle turned to the 44-year-old to steer them clear of relegation trouble.

It has today been reported by Football League World that former Colchester boss McGreal, long considered a serious contender, is no longer in the running to replace Beech. 

Carlisle have yet to comment on the status of their managerial search, though the struggling Blues are understood to be narrowing down their search and meeting leading candidates.

Skelton has been asked to remain in charge when Oldham visit Brunton Park on Saturday, but United have not given any indication of whether the Cumbrian could remain at the interim helm for longer.

The signs that Carlisle are narrowing things down raises the possibility of a decision before next weekend's trip to Northampton, but there has so far been no official word from Brunton Park.

The club have said the appointment will be a board decision, with director of football David Holdsworth having been involved in the early stages of sifting through contenders before other senior club figures, including chairman Andrew Jenkins, join the final decision-making stages.