FORMER Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott has emerged as a leading contender for York City's vacant managerial vacancy.

The Press understands that Abbott has already been interviewed about the position, along with a series of other candidates including ex-Huddersfield, Birmingham City and Blackpool chief Lee Clark.

But it is believed Clark might be holding out for another League One role and would prefer to work with his own backroom staff, which could rule him out of the contest.

The Press have also learned that former Chelsea and Leeds midfielder David Hopkin, who is currently assistant manager at Scottish Championship side Livingston, is interested in the position, along with ex-Bradford City and Middlesbrough forward Dean Windass, but ex-Doncaster Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll, recently sacked as assistant-manager to Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, has not sent in an application to Bootham Crescent.

City are already advanced in their discussions with potential successors to the sacked Russ Wilcox and intend to complete that interview process next week with eight hopefuls believed to be under consideration.

Abbott met with the City board this week, having been out of work since March following his dismissal as assistant manager at Notts County when Shaun Derry was relieved of his duties.

During the previous season, the pair had combined to keep the Meadow Lane team in Sky Bet League One against the odds.

Abbott also enjoyed a 38 per cent win record as Carlisle manager, taking caretaker charge between the reigns of Neil McDonald and ex-Minstermen chief John Ward before taking over from the latter in November 2008 and helping the Cumbrians improve their league position three seasons running, while reaching the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final twice - losing to Southampton before lifting the trophy in 2011 against Brentford.

Current City midfielder James Berrett was a member of that side with Abbott enjoying a highest finish of eighth during his tenure on a budget smaller than that afforded managers at Bootham Crescent under chairman Jason McGill.

With the departing Wilcox due a severance package, the fact that Abbott is currently on paid gardening leave from Notts County could mean his salary expectations are modest too.

The Coventry-born, 51-year-old, who lives in Wetherby, has also jointly managed Thackley in the past, having worked at Leeds United academy for a decade, following a playing career as a right-back and midfielder that encompassed more than 500 first-team games, including stints at Bradford and Hull City under ex-City boss Terry Dolan.

City did not want to comment on individual applications but did confirm that talks had already taken place with several candidates and communications director Sophie McGill said: "We've had close to 200 applications - a number of which could be dismissed as shall we say humourous - but we were impressed with the many serious ones we received.

"Most of them arrived on Monday or Tuesday and we have reviewed them all. We have already embarked on an interview process and seen some applicants already.

"We will now continue with that process next week, then try and make a decision as soon as possible, but it is imperative that we appoint the right person for York City Football Club."

Caretaker boss Richard Cresswell, who has yet to publicly throw his hat in the ring for the job, will take charge of the team for this afternoon's League Two clash at Crawley.

He will be able to call on midfielder Michael Collins for that match after parent club Oxford United agreed to extend his loan stay in North Yorkshire by a further month.