ST JOHNSTONE manager Steve Lomas has emerged as a shock front-runner for the vacant Doncaster Rovers job.
The McDiarmid Park boss has been installed as one of the favourites to take over at the League One side after a largely successful 14 months with Saints, with odds on him succeeding Dean Saunders at the Keepmoat Stadium as short as 4/7 with one bookmaker last night.
Lomas has been enjoying some time off in the Spanish sunshine this week and distanced himself from the Doncaster link when contacted by Courier Sport.
“I don’t know how this sort of speculation comes about I’m in Tenerife at the moment so I might be linked with the Tenerife job as well,” he joked.
Despite that apparent dismissal, the fact the 38-year-old Saints boss was mentioned as a strong favourite for the Rovers post just a matter of hours after Saunders made the switch to Wolves suggests there could be some basis to Doncaster’s reputed interest.
Saunders left Rovers for Molineux after guiding them to second in League One, although Doncaster chairman John Ryan insisted the club “have a plan B” following the Welshman’s exit and said he expects the manager’s position to attract a lot of interest.
According to sources in Yorkshire, Lomas certainly fits the profile Ryan looks for in a manager.
Former Wales U21 boss Brian Flynn and club captain Rob Jones will take interim charge of the team following Saunders’ departure, but Doncaster confirmed last night that they hope to draw up a shortlist of potential candidates within the next fortnight.
And, if the bookies are to be believed, Lomas is very much heading that list.
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