ALittle

Last updated 01:00, Thursday, 29 June 2006

BY Amanda Little

FRANK BURROWS today emerged as shock favourite to become Carlisle United’s new manager.

Sky Sports reported that the 62-year-old former Portsmouth, Swansea and Cardiff boss is set to be unveiled as Paul Simpson’s successor at a press conference at Brunton Park this afternoon.

From 2000 until 2004, Burrows was assistant manager to Gary Megson – also strongly linked with the Carlisle vacvancy – at West Bromwich Albion and helped them win promotion to the Premiership twice.

Burrows took charge of two games as caretaker-manager at The Hawthorns following Megson's departure but left the Hawthorns once Bryan Robson arrived. Carlisle owner Fred Story has refused to reveal the name of the new man and is understood to be furious that the identities of other names on the shortlist, John Carver and John Ward, leaked out.

Carver turned down the chance to join United to stay at Leeds, where he is currently head coach, while Ward has called a press conference at at Cheltenham to confirm that he is staying with the West Country outfit.

Former Carlisle players Peter Beardsley and Andy Preece and current United coach Billy Barr last night ruled themselves out of the frame Other names linked with the post are Megson, David Platt, Colin Hendry, Mervyn Day and Scunthorpe player-coach Peter Beagrie.