Danny Wilson is staying tight-lipped over Albion's move to make him manager.

The Bristol City boss is still refusing to comment on the Seagulls' bid to land their former skipper as Peter Taylor's successor.

Wilson's silence has fuelled speculation that Albion could rekindle their interest, despite so far being refused permission to speak to him.

Wilson was giving nothing away when the Argus contacted him yesterday. Bristol City chairman John Laycock has claimed the ex-Northern Ireland international midfielder is not interested in the Albion post, but Wilson's only comment was "I've got nothing to say."

Laycock rejected an official approach from Albion last Thursday and said that was the end of the matter, but the Seagulls' determined chairman Dick Knight is unlikely to give up without a fight.

Knight ideally wants a big name manager who would be popular with supporters and has a track record in the First Division.

Wilson was an inspirational captain and firm favourite with the fans when he played for the club in the Eighties.

He steered Barnsley to promotion from Division One during four years in charge at Oakwell before a less successful spell at Sheffield Wednesday.

One stumbling block could be the compensation Bristol City would demand. Wilson is on a lucrative 12-month rolling contract at Ashton Gate, but Albion's tight budget is unlikely to put him off.

Only last week he was quoted as saying: "Managers always want to be in a position to go out and buy people they think can enhance their squad.

"But in fact the current state of the game is so many clubs in the lower divisions struggling to make ends meet and all you can do is face up to it and get on with the job."

Wilson has fond memories of both the reaction of Albion fans when he brought Bristol City to Withdean in April and his playing career with the Seagulls.

"The reception I got was fantastic," he said. "I didn't think that many would remember me. I had a fantastic time down there. It was a great three years which put me back on track after leaving Nottingham Forest."

If Albion ultimately fail in their swoop for Wilson then Knight is expected to turn to assistant manager Bob Booker and director of youth Martin Hinshelwood.

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