BOLTON Wanderers first-team coach Sam Hird has emerged as the odds-on favourite for the vacant manager's job at York City.

Hird was priced at 5/2 by BetVictor yesterdaybut the odds have since shrunk to 2/5, at the time of writing, making him in the clear favourite ahead of Chesterfield assistant manager Daniel Webb and former Motherwell boss Graham Alexander, who are both at 8/1.

Former Doncaster Rovers defender Hird began his coaching career with Barrow, becoming Rob Kelly's number two in February last year and steering the then-bottom Cumbrian club to safety from relegation in Sky Bet League Two.

Four months later, he joined Bolton Wanderers as first-team coach and reserves manager, relinquishing the latter role in May this year.

Under the guidance of manager Ian Evatt and Hird, Bolton finished ninth last season in Sky Bet League One in their first season back in the third tier after winning promotion from League Two in the previous campaign.

Providing an update on the search for a new manager, York said that, having received 60 applications, they are aiming to appoint a successor to John Askey, who was sacked earlier this month, "in the coming week".

In a statement given to BBC Radio York, City said: "In the past two weeks, the club have received applications from over 60 candidates who offer a diverse range of skills and experience within the game.

"From the outset, the club have adopted a robust process to access all applications.

"This has included the review of all CVs and candidate presentations, in-depth desk research, statistical analysis, taking up of references and formal interviews.

"Every candidate has been assessed and rated against an extensive set of key criteria.

"We have been impressed by the high calibre of the candidates and would like to thank each of them for showing a keen interest in working with the football club.

"We are now in the final stages of the process and expect to make an announcement in the coming week."