Hoddle drifts as Forest consider gaffer options

GLENN HODDLE appears to be in the frame for a return to club management after a six-year absence after being heavily backed to become the next Nottingham Forest manager.

At one stage on Friday the former England coach was as low as 4-9 with Paddy Power to pick up the reins at the City Ground, where the Kuwaiti Al-Hasawi family have recently taken control, but by the evening his odds had drifted to 5-2 as he was displaced by Mick McCarthy at the head of the market.

McCarthy was the 5-4 favourite, having started the day at a best-priced 4-1 while Darren Ferguson – an odds-on shot earlier this week – had eased to 9-2.

Stoke have been linked with a move for Michael Owen for much of the summer and they are 1-2 with Ladbrokes to agree a deal before the end of the transfer window.

Ladbrokes offer 7-2 about Owen announcing his retirement this summer, and 6-1 about a switch to Aston Villa, Wigan or Liverpool.

Tottenham are close to finalising the permanent signing of Emmanuel Adebayor after agreeing a fee with Manchester City. Adebayor spent last season on loan at White Hart Lane.

However, Hills go 10-11 that Adebayor does not notch a Premier League goal against their north London rivals and former club Arsenal this term (must be a registered Premier League player after the summer transfer window; it is 2-1 that he notches twice or more against the Gunners and 11-4 once).

Liverpool are also set to boost their attacking options after agreeing a reported £11m fee with Roma for the transfer of striker Fabio Borini.

Hills, who go 6-4 about 11 or more Borini top flight goals, also have a market on top Reds Premier League scorer.

Luis Suarez is a 6-4 favourite with Borini at 10-3, Andy Carroll at 7-2 and skipper Steven Gerrard at 6-1. Others are available on request.

Hills are also betting on Joey Barton's next club after media reports of an impending loan switch to Championship side Blackburn.

Rovers are evens favourites in a select list of 7-4 Forest, 5-1 Leeds and 10-1 Newcastle. Loan deals count and bets are void if he is still at Loftus Road by the winter transfer window.

Hills can't separate current club Manchester City and Milan, at 5-6, in their special on where Carlos Tevez will be plying his trade come September 1.

Moneybags PSG and Inter are both 8-1 shots and Real Madrid can be backed at 10-1/