SHREWSBURY Town maintain there has been no contact from Wanderers regarding the availability of manager Sam Ricketts.

Bookmakers have made the former Bolton defender overnight favourite to succeed Keith Hill but the Shropshire club insist their man is planning for pre-season, with the Shropshire Star reporting there has been no approach for the 38-year-old.

Ricketts made 113 appearances in a Whites between 2009 and 2013 and has since earned a burgeoning reputation as a coach with Shrewsbury and Wrexham – working at the latter with Wanderers legend Jussi Jaaskelainen.

He led his current club to a 15th placed finish in League One last season – their second-best finish in 30 years - with a squad that included ex-Bolton midfielder Josh Vela. Ricketts has also taken Salop into the FA Cup fourth round in successive seasons, running Liverpool close in a hard-fought replay at Anfield in February.

Wanderers’ owners, Football Ventures, launched their search this week for a new boss who can fit into their restructure of the coaching department.

Ricketts has 12 months left to run on his contract so an approach would require compensation – but Bolton have indicated they could find money to secure the right man.

A lengthy list of potential candidates has formed, led by Ian Evatt of Barrow, and including other former players such as Kevin Nolan and Dean Holden.

Experienced heads like Nigel Clough, Chris Powell, Simon Grayson and Gary Bowyer are also believed to have put in for the job.