Southampton manager George Burley took training as normal today as he was backed into red-hot favourite status for the Scotland job.

Burley is on the four-man shortlist - along with Mark McGhee, Tommy Burns and Graeme Souness - drawn up by the Scottish Football Association as they seek to replace Alex McLeish as the national team coach.

The 51-year-old former Scotland defender has held talks with the SFA after Coca-Cola Championship side Saints reluctantly agreed to grant them permission to speak to him.

But while Burley was today made an odds-on shot by bookmakers for the international job, Saints maintain they have heard nothing to suggest their manager is on his way north of the border.

"We have had no contact from the SFA," said acting chief executive Lee Hoos today.

Burley has remained guarded about his intentions, stressing he is happy in his role on the south coast.

"It is a great honour that Scotland asked to speak to me," he said after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Plymouth.

"There is a lot to consider. I am very happy at Southampton but if your country asks to speak to you then it is only right to do so."

Saints are struggling to mount a promotion push for the third straight year while the club still lack the investment required to make a mark on the transfer market.

The former Ipswich, Derby and Hearts manager has been forced to sell stars such as Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Kenwyne Jones and Chris Baird since he took over from Harry Redknapp in December 2005, and may find the pull of the Scotland job too strong to turn down.

Former Southampton, Liverpool and Rangers manager Souness, Motherwell boss McGhee and Celtic coach Burns have also met with SFA officials.

The identity of McLeish's successor is likely to be known by the end of the week after SFA president George Peat confirmed a meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss the candidates.

The new manager's first game will be the March 26 friendly against Croatia at Hampden Park.