WANDERERS have NOT made an approach to Southend United for Sol Campbell, The Bolton News has learned.

The former England defender’s odds were cut from 20/1 to 7/4 over the weekend, making him the second favourite behind Barrow’s Ian Evatt for the vacant job.

But out sister paper, the Southend Echo claim Wanderers have not been in direct touch over Campbell, who had previously worked with the club’s head of football operations, Tobias Phoenix, during his time at Macclesfield Town.

Campbell had helped cash-strapped Macclesfield Town avoid relegation from League Two in his first managerial post but could not arrest the slide at Roots Hall after taking charge on October.

Wanderers are believed to be talking to a shortlist of candidates over the next couple of days, with Evatt still very strongly backed behind the scenes.

It has also emerged that ex-Leeds United and Hibernian boss Paul Heckingbottom is among the free agents who have applied for the post.