MICHAEL Appleton says suggestions he is in contention to be the next England Under 21 manager are just bookmakers' speculation.
The Oxford United boss is the clear favourite with one firm to fill the void left by Gareth Southgate's promotion to the senior national job.
Another bookmaker has him just ahead of Aidy Boothroyd, the England Under 20 coach who has stepped up to take on a caretaker role with the Under 21s.
When asked this morning about the link, Appleton made it clear there had been no approach from the Football Association and he would not be putting himself forward, but admitted it was an attractive role.
He said: "Speculation is speculation, as far as I’m concerned there’s nothing I’m aware of.
"I think it would be hard for anyone to not want to manage one of the top two jobs in the country – the national job and the under-21 job.
"I would be a very stupid man to say I’d never be interested in that, but at this moment I’m not aware of any interest the FA have in Michael Appleton.
"That’s all I can say."
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