CHAIRMAN Barry Kilby is bracing himself for an approach from West Bromich Albion for Burnley boss Steve Cotterill.

The Baggies yesterday started drawing up their shortlist to fill their vacant managerial position.

The club asked Coventry City for permission to speak to boss Micky Adams.

That request was rejected out of hand by the Sky Blues board.

Albion have also confirmed that England and Middlesbrough coach Steve Round applied for the job, only to withdraw his interest.

Cotterill is still highly fancied to land the role and succeed Bryan Robson, although Kilby today re-iterated that no approach has been forthcoming from the Hawthorns.

Sources close to the West Midlands club claim Albion are lining up an interview with Cotterill before the weekend, although in conflicting reports, it has been suggested that the 42-year-old has already spoken to the Baggies.

Once West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has concluded interviews, it is expected that he will formulate an official shortlist before appointing a new manager during the forthcoming international break.

Cotterill still heads the betting, with bet365 quoting him as 13/8 favourite, while Mowbray, West Brom caretaker boss Nigel Pearson and Cardiff's Dave Jones stand at 6/1.

Steve Freeth, bet365 spokesman, said: "We've had a quiet time of it on the Albion front recently, but it looks like Jeremy Peace has started interviewing because all manner of people are being backed for the job."

Coventry confirmed that it had rejected an approach for Adams after being contacted last week.

"Micky Adams is an important part of this club and we owe it to our fans and our players to keep him here," said Sky Blues managing director Paul Fletcher, a former Burnley player.

The Baggies revealed that 30 serious applications had been received for the position, including that of Round.

It has been claimed that Round then decided against an interview due the uncertainty over Albion's intentions to appoint a techical director of director of football.

A West Brom statement said: "The club was contacted by Steve Round's agent, Colin Gordon, last week regarding the vacant manager's job.

"After talking to Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, the club arranged to meet Steve Round as part of its process of compiling a shortlist for the vacancy.

"This meeting did not take place after Colin Gordon withdrew Steve Round's application.

"The club does not regard this as a setback in its process of appointing a new manager as Steve Round was but one of more than 30 serious applicants for the position.

"Furthermore, without speaking to him, the club does not know whether Steve Round would have made its shortlist.

"The club's timescale for appointing a new manager remains on course and the board is fully focused on this at the moment."

Sheffield United's number two Stuart McCall has emerged as the latest candidate to be linked with the post.