West Bromwich Albion have played down the recent speculation linking former Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton with the vacant job at The Hawthorns.
35-year old former West Brom midfielder Michael Appleton is currently the caretaker for the Baggies for at least this weekend's crucial home fixture against West Ham United but it has been reported that Hughton was set to take over afterwards.
However, West Brom have spoken out saying that a deal is far from being done.
"Contrary to widespread reports in today's media, I can categorically state that no decision has yet been made by the football club regarding the appointment of a new head coach," a club spokesman said.
And Appleton wasn't reading into it either, making himself available for the role permanently.
"I've never hidden the fact that I want to be a manager," he said. "I've gone out and taken all of the badges that are necessary to take that step.
"I think my personality and the strengths I bring to football clubs, eventually that was always going to be the step.
"Now I find myself in a position where I'm taking over the side for the foreseeable future until I'm told differently, and I'm going to try to grasp the opportunity."
