Albion caretaker Bob Booker has pulled out of the race to be the club's next manager.

Booker said: "After a lot of careful consideration I have decided the close working relationship I have built up with the current squad of players would be difficult to alter under the current circumstances.

"With this in mind I am stepping out of the managerial race. I still have firm aspirations to one day become a manager in my own right and I'm convinced I have the ability, but at present it's just not the right time for me.

"I've enjoyed working with the players over the last couple of weeks but feel a fresh pair of eyes will help the club achieve its promotion ambition this season.

"I would like to thank the fans for all their backing and support over the last two weeks, and the chairman, directors and staff. Let's move on from here together."

Booker has also shrugged off criticism from fans on the Southern Counties Radio phone-in after the Brentford game, which prompted former Albion manager Micky Adams to ring up and defend him.

"I've had that as a player," Booker said. "I've got big enough shoulders to let that go over my head. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I haven't got a problem with that.

"They can say what they like about me. I know I'm a hard working man. Some days it works, some days it doesn't."