ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman is understood to be top of Lincoln City's shortlist to replace Chris Sutton at Sincil Bank.

Lincoln are currently 16 places below Stanley in League Two but assistant manager Jimmy Bell told the Lancashire Telegraph last week that both he and Coleman would be keen to talk to the Imps over the vacancy, having waited almost 12 months for their new three-and-a-half-year contracts to be finalised at the Crown Ground.

Lincoln's board are now thought to have put Coleman on a four-man shortlist. The Stanley boss has not yet been approached but it is understood that he is currently their top choice.