Bruce tops poll

McCarthy was axed following the club's 5-1 derby humiliation at the hands of West Bromwich Albion which has left them in the relegation zone.

When quizzed over his successor, 21 per cent of readers backed former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, narrowly edging ex-QPR manager Neil Warnock, who earned 20 per cent.

Rafa Benitez received the third highest votes with 14 per cent, but the former Liverpool and Inter Milan chief has distanced himself from the position according to Sky Sources.

Alan Curbishley revealed his interest in the job on Sky Sports News and he also received 14 per cent of the vote, which is reflected in Sky Bet's next Wolves manager odds.

The online betting company currently has Curbishley and Bruce as joint 2/1 favourites to take over from McCarthy, with Warnock behind them at 9/1.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is 10/1 to return to the Premier League with a new club and former Manchester United player Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is a surprise inclusion at 12/1 after enjoying success last season in charge of Norwegian champions Molde.

Sky Bet's PR Director Dale Tempest said: "Wolves need to turn things around quickly and both Bruce and Warnock have experience in relegation battles.

"Curbishley has been out of the game for a while now and whether he will be able to turn Wolves around quickly remains to be seen."

He added: "Whether Warnock will want another top-flight job so quickly after leaving QPR remains to be seen, so Bruce looks to be the more likely candidate at his early stage."

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