Dave Jones must now play a waiting game to get back into the profession he loves.

The former Saints boss is desperate to resume his football career after being totally cleared on child abuse charges at Liverpool Crown Court this week.

He has already been linked with a return to Stockport or with the vacant manager's job at Norwich.

He ruled out a return to Edgeley Park where his former colleague, Andy Kilner, is currently under pressure. And he stressed he has so far heard nothing from the Canaries, although that may be the kind of job which would interest him.

He said: "There is nothing in the Stockport rumour at all. Andy Kilner is my mate and it is embarrassing for me to be linked with a job he is doing.

"He played for me and I have tried to help him. People assume because I am friendly with the chairman that I will be going back but that is not true and I certainly won't talk to a club if their manager is still in place!

"I have heard nothing from Norwich, who have a caretaker manager in any case. I have not had time for my feet to touch the floor and people probably want to give me a few days to get sorted out. I have a lot of Christmas shopping to do for one thing!

"But in a way it is nice to get back to the football speculation rather than any other rumours about me. It is my life, it is what I do best and I just want to get back to it.

"The nature of the game though means I just have to wait until someone loses their job before I can get back in."

However Jones certainly won't be coming back to The Dell. All ties were severed when he reached a compromise settlement on his contract two months ago.

He added: "The only way I will be back at The Dell is if I take a team there. I fell out with Rupert Lowe over the business side of it, but that is business.

"To be fair he has supported me all the way along the line over my court case, as have all the players and the coaching staff and the fans. I cannot thank them enough."