McInnes favourite for Albion job

The Baggies highly-regarded ex-skipper, the man who drove Gary Megson's team to the historic first Premier League promotion seven years ago, has just laid down a managerial marker by taking St Johnstone to promotion to the SPL.

But McInnes would find it impossible to resist the call to return to one of his favourite football homelands, if Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace decides to turn to him in the wake of a Hawthorns regime change in the next few days.

While Mowbray waits for Albion and Celtic to thrash out a deal for his move to Parkhead, the bookmakers have wasted no time installing McInnes as 4-1 favourite to succeed him.

The timing of the events could not be more marked with McInnes, whose promotion-winning success at St Johnstone included setting a club record unbeaten run, wanted by another Championship club, Watford.

They have approached St Johnstone for permission to speak to McInnes, but - failing to agree the Scottish club's compensation demands - backed away.

Although the manager's current employers have approached his agent to discuss a new deal, he has only 10 months of his contract remaining and that should not provide too big an obstacle for the Baggies.

McInnes is off to Sweden next week to study the European Under-21 championships as part of his UEFA B coaching badge and is still a few weeks short of his 38th birthday.

He has to his advantage a previous working relationship with Peace and backroom survivors from his playing days including Michael Appleton.

Odds from bet365: Derek McInnes 4-1, Darren Ferguson 9-2, Dave Jones 11-2, Gary Johnson 11-2, Alan Irvine 8-1, Roberto Di Matteo 10-1, Steve Coppell 12-1, Adie Boothroyd 14-1, Alan Shearer 14-1, Paul Jewell 16-1, Alan Curbishley 16-1, Michael Appleton 16-1, Sean O'Driscoll 20-1, Paul Ince 20-1.