FORMER York City chief Nigel Worthington has declared his interest in the managerial vacancy at Sky Bet League Two Portsmouth.

Pompey are looking for a new boss after sacking Andy Awford, with Southend’s Phil Brown and Martin Allen, of Barnet, both believed to be front-runners for the Fratton Park job.

But Worthington’s current unattached status - he has not worked since his resignation at Bootham Crescent in October - might prove attractive for the fallen south-coast giants, who are marooned in mid-table with three fixtures left to play.

If Portsmouth did plump for Norfolk-based Worthington, it would certainly add spice to their season-concluding home match with the Minstermen on May 2.

The ex-Norwich and Northern Ireland chief, who guided City to the League Two play-offs last season before leaving North Yorkshire after overseeing only one victory from the opening 14 fixtures this term, said: “I think Portsmouth is a club very few people would say no to.

“In my current position, from having a little breather from the game, it’s a position I would be interested in talking to the club about. It’s how the chairman and directors see it.

“They will have the description of what they are looking for and I am recharged and ready to go if required.

“I thought they were going to make a push for it this season and, from playing them earlier in the year, it looked as though Andy was shaping them up quite nicely.

“But, it has been proven before that, even for bigger clubs in the lower leagues, there is no easy solution. I have been in League Two for a few seasons with York and know the league very, very well.

“I also know the personnel and got York into the play-offs with a terrific run last season. It wouldn’t matter to me where in the country a job came up, it’s not a problem.

“I’m interested in Portsmouth and we’ll see what happens.”