Robson: Makes Boro exit (LaurenceGriffiths/Allsport)

Robson, who has been out of work since his departure from Middlesbrough in the summer of last year, has applied for a post described by former manager George Burley as 'one of the best in football'.

Robson joins a long list of possible replacements for Burley, with Bruce Rioch, Bryan Hamilton, Leicester's Micky Adams, Ronnie Moore at Rotherham and Paul Jewell at Wigan all being touted.

Former England and Manchester United captain Robson, who currently can be seen on MUTV, is the most high-profile figure to be linked with the Portman Road hot-seat.

Chairman David Sheepshanks is unlikely to announce Burley's successor until next week, leaving caretaker Tony Mowbray in charge for this Saturday's clash with Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Following his dismissal last week, Burley has been contacted by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Newcastle's Sir Bobby Robson, along with many supporters who felt the club were wrong to give him the axe after eight years in charge.

'Saturday was strange for me, so strange,' explained Burley, as Mowbray stood in for the 2-1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

'For the first time on a Saturday since 1971 I didn't have anything to do. It was a very funny feeling. I was lost.'

But given the messages of support from Ferguson and Robson, Burley added: 'That was wonderful, really wonderful. I've also had many calls from fans and I feel I can hold my head up high.

'There's certainly no bitterness or animosity at what happened. My life and my career will go on.'

Burley also feels he has left the club in good shape as he exclaimed: 'My successor will be getting one of the best jobs in the country. It is one of the best jobs around,' to he told the Evening Star.

With the news Leicester's players have agreed to a deferral of their wages, so staving off the threat of administration and key players being sold to ease their £30million debts, Adams is now likely to remain at the Walkers Stadium and push on with his bid of helping the Foxes back into the Premiership.

As for Moore, confusion still reigns following yesterday's developments as Sheepshanks is understood to have now made an official approach for the services of the Rotherham boss.

But neither chairman Ken Booth nor chief executive Phil Henson took the call, which is understood to have been referred to the club's legal representatives to reiterate United's stance that Moore is Rotherham manager and will be staying to see out the remainder of his contract.

'I have not spoken to Mr Sheepshanks about the matter,' confirmed Booth.