Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is being linked with the Bolton Wanderers job.

Hughes has emerged as the favourite to take over and two former Wanderers players are backing him.

Ex-striker Andy Walker and goalkeeper Keith Branagan says Hughes would be the perfect choice, especially after Owen Coyle appears to have ruled himself out.

"Having spoken to a number of supporters, the one they all want is Owen Coyle but I don't think Owen would be interested because he's very loyal to his own club," Walker told Sky Sports News.

"I'm sure he'll stick with Burnley. He was given the opportunity to become the Celtic manager in the summer and he didn't take it.

"I'm sure all the supporters would love Owen Coyle to return to the Reebok, the way he sets his teams up and plays football would be attractive to the Bolton supporters more than anything, but Owen is a very loyal guy and I think he'll stick with Burnley.

Branagan believes Hughes should jump straight back into management.

"I'm going to go with the favourite, Mark Hughes. Being a supporter of Bolton Wanderers, I'd like them to offer him the job," he said.

"He's a top manager and in such a short space of time, has proved himself. I think there's only one candidate myself.

"Hughes is a young manager and he's a hungry, ambitious manager and I think it would suit him much better to go straight back into management at a Premier League club rather than take time off and assess, because it will just keep the ball rolling for him."