Darren Ferguson has apologised to Phil Brown for being linked to his job at Hull City.

Ferguson has been installed as the bookies favourite to replace Brown at the KC Stadium should new chairman Adam Pearson decide to sack him.

The odds on Ferguson succeeding Brown dropped dramatically in the wake of his departure from Peterborough earlier this month.

Speculation increased further when Posh director of football Barry Fry suggested Ferguson had been tapped up. Fry claimed Ferguson left the Championship club because he had another job lined up.

But Ferguson has been left so embarrassed by suggestions he will become the next Hull manager that he has called Brown to defend himself.

A Hull source told the Mirror: "Darren has telephoned Phil to explain his situation and clear the air. He wanted to make it clear the speculation suggesting he was about to replace him at Hull was just not true.

"He felt embarrassed and wanted to tell Phil this. There is no problem between the two of them at all because Phil appreciated his call."