Support is growing for Albion caretaker Bob Booker to be given the job permanently.

Booker has closed the gap on top choice Steve Cotterill in The Argus website poll.

The poll was launched a week ago, when Steve Coppell's switch to Reading was finally completed.

Booker is now only narrowly behind ex-Cheltenham and Stoke chief Cotterill, with Oldham's Iain Dowie third.

Booker is the only candidate confirmed to be in the running by chairman Dick Knight.

Knight has refused to discuss any other names, but he has already told The Argus he "wouldn't go to a club whose manager is under contract."

That rules out a renewed bid for former Albion captain Danny Wilson (Bristol City), together with the likes of Neal Cooper (Hartlepool), Brian Talbot (Rushden and Diamonds), Keith Curle (Mansfield), Leroy Rosenior (Torquay) and Gary Johnson (Yeovil).

Ex-Fulham boss Jean Tigana has been linked to the post after Knight revealed he was contacted last Thursday by "a foreign manager who has managed in the Champions League in the recent past."

I understand the mystery man is more likely to be Christian Gross, who was head coach at Spurs for a season.

Graham Rix was at Withdean again for Monday's match against Forest Green Rovers, but he is not thought to be a serious contender.

Age and wages are expected to count against Joe Kinnear, another name mentioned regularly by fans.

Albion's eighth manager in six years will probably be in place for the next home game against Stockport a week on Saturday.

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