GARY Waddock has laughed off speculation he is set to join League One newcomers Crawley Town, insisting he's staying at Adams Park.

The Blues boss was this week among the favourites to become the new manager of the Sussex club after Sean O'Driscoll defected to Nottingham Forest.

Speculation Waddock was set to move to the Red Devils intensified when the odds-on favourite for the job, Aldershot boss Dean Holdsworth, said he wasn't interested in the role.

That led to bookies slashing Waddock's odds on jumping ship to as low as 13/8 - but the Wanderers manager says he has had no contact from Crawley and is puzzled as to why he was so hotly tipped to move on.

And he has reassured Blues fans that he has no intention of moving on.

Speaking after tonight's friendly against Luton Town, Waddock said: "From my side, it came out of nowhere so I was very surprised at the speculation.

"I had a number of calls and text messages regarding the fact that I was favourite, but I have got a job to do here. I'm concentrating on this, my focus is here - it's as simple as that.

"I haven't had any contact. I'm very focussed on the job that I'm doing here."

Reports tonight suggest Crawley have approached Sheffield United with a view to speaking to their youth team coach John Pemberton.

A former Blades player, Pemberton has had tremendous success as head of the club's academy and Crawley want to talk to him about becoming first team manager.

He is now the strong favourite to take the role with bookmakers.

The odds on Cheltenham manager Mark Yates, who unexpectedly guided the Robins to the League Two play-off final last season, and Sean Dyche, who was controversially sacked by Watford's new owners to be replaced by Gianfranco Zola, taking over at Broadfield have also shortened significantly.

Waddock meanwhile can still be backed at 8/1 to take the job.