With their retained list out of the way, Barrow AFC's focus will now be on appointing the manager who will take them through their first season in the English Football League since 1972.

It is understood that the Bluebirds hope to make an appointment by the middle of the week.

Whoever takes up the role will succeed the man that guided AFC to an historic promotion from the National League last season, Ian Evatt, who left last week for soon-to-be League Two rivals Bolton Wanderers.

The man most linked with the vacancy has been former Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn and the odds on him taking the job have now shortened to ten to one ON with bookmakers Sky Bet.

It would be a first permanent managerial role since January 2016 for 40-year-old Dunn, who had four matches in caretaker charge of Blackpool in February this year following the sacking of Simon Grayson.

The experienced Nigel Clough is second favourite at 7/1, having ended his second spell at Burton Albion to help them adjust to the financial challenges the coronavirus pandemic brought.

The next two managers on the bookies' shortlist are both priced at 16/1, with the man Evatt replaced at Bolton, Keith Hill, being joined by David Flitcroft, who was his assistant at the Trotters after previously managing Mansfield Town, Swindon Town, Bury and Barnsley.