WEST Bromwich Albion are hoping to interview Clarets boss Steve Cotterill for the vacant Baggies hotseat this week.

Sources close to the West Midlands club suggest that Albion are lining up an interview with Cotterill before the weekend as they step up their search for a new manager.

But the Clarets maintain they have received no approach from West Brom about their manager - a position reiterated by Burnley chairman Barry Kilby last night.

Interviews for the new Baggies boss began this week and it is understood that current caretaker boss Nigel Pearson, former Middlesbrough number two Steve Round and Hibernian boss Tony Mowbray were among those who have been seen.

Blackburn Rovers assistant boss Mark Bowen is also said to be in the frame.

But, as I understand it, West Brom are keen to speak to Cotterill, who is the firm bookies favourite at 5-4 and has been since Bryan Robson departed on September 18, and want to see him before the weekend.

The Baggies have been tight- FROM BACK PAGE lipped on the search for a new manager but sources suggest that a new man will be in place early next week.

Cotterill being linked with a move away from Turf Moor is nothing new.

The 42-year-old was heavily linked with the Leicester City post following the sacking of Craig Levein last season and his name was also in the frame when Wolves parted company with Glenn Hoddle in the summer.

He is also quoted at odds of 20/1 for the vacant post at Leeds United.

Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: "Whilst the betting for the Leeds vacancy has been volatile to put it mildly, the race for the Baggies' post has seen as many twists and turns as a Roman road."