NEWPORT County AFC manager Justin Edinburgh is now the bookies’ favourite to take over at League One Gillingham, writes Andrew Penman.

Edinburgh is now priced at 11/10 with Sky Bet and 2/1 with Bet Victor, ahead of Forest Green boss Ady Pennock and Dennis Wise in the betting.

Edinburgh was rumoured to be in the running for the Portsmouth job, amongst others, last season and County’s rise to third in League Two in this campaign has again caught the eye of rival clubs.

He currently commutes to Newport from Essex several times a week and a move closer to home might prove tempting but County would be due compensation with 18 months remaining on his current contract.

The Gills are 21st in League One but chairman Paul Scally has told fans he has no idea who will replace Peter Taylor, who he sacked on New Year’s Eve.

“This situation will become clearer as we progress the interview stage this week and next,” Scally said in an open letter to fans on the club's website.

“We will work our way through the fairly long shortlist in a professional and methodical manner.

“We will not fuel rumours, nor speak on individuals either way, but we will get on with the task, aware that this is a significantly important appointment that we must try and get right.

“I am flattered to have received many applications from a cross-section of individuals, many of whom would be suitable for the role,” he added in his statement.

“I have not met with any candidates face to face [but] have spoken to a number of influential managers and individuals in the game about various candidates."