BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill today admitted he is baffled at suggestions he heads a shortlist to succeed Micky Adams at Leicester.

Cotterill is being openly touted as one of the favourites to make a swift return to the Walkers Stadium, where he spent the last three months of last season working as a coach.

He even tops the betting of a Leicester bookmaker to take over from Adams, who resigned his managerial position earlier this week after two-and-a-half years in charge.

However, I can reveal that Leicester have made NO initial approach to either Cotterill or Burnley chairman Barry Kilby.

And Cotterill, who has a three-year contract at Turf Moor, himself insists he was as surprised as anyone when he learned of the speculation.

"The bottom line is I only know what I have read in the newspapers," he said. "People will ask questions but I only know what everybody else has read and as such, it's pure speculation."

It is hardly surprising City are being linked with Cotterill. He is firm friends with caretaker manager Dave Bassett and he made a huge impact working behind the scenes towards the end of a turbulent campaign at Leicester dogged by off-field problems.

However, the likes of Gary McAllister, Glenn Hoddle, George Graham, Paul Jewell and Mike Newell have already been mentioned in the same breath as the Clarets chief.

And until the City board draw up a firm shortlist, it remains open season for bookmakers and journalists alike.

Meanwhile, Lee Roche returns to training today after a month out with a hamstring injury.

The versatile defender has not featured since limping out of the 0-0 draw at Wigan on September 14.

But despite stepping up his recovery, he is unlikely to feature in Saturday's league game at Ipswich, which pits former Tractor Boys stopper John McGreal up against his former employers.

And McGreal warmed up for an emotional return by insisting his days as a Town player were the best of his career ... so far!

McGreal, 32, enjoyed a roller-coaster five years in Suffolk, winning promotion to the Premiership, playing European football and then suffering relegation back out of the top flight.

And he said: "Saturday will be a big day for me because I had happy times at Ipswich. The best of my career so far, I would say.

"We had promotion twice, played UEFA Cup football and Premiership football and, unfortunately got relegated ... I had the lot there.

"They were happy days and it was a wrench to leave because I was settled down there with my family and young children.

"But after I spoke to Steve Cotterill during the summer and then to a few of the lads at Burnley, who I already knew from my Tranmere days, it seemed the right club.

"It also gave me the chance to move back up north after five years away, so a combination of things made this the right move and it's worked out brilliantly so far.

"It's a new challenge and I'm loving it."