Burnley are set to make an official approach for Watford manager Malky Mackay next week, according to reports in Lancashire.

It is claimed Burnley will wait until chairman Barry Kilby has returned from New York to ask the Hornets for permission to speak to Mackay.

Brian Laws was sacked by Burnley four days ago and Stuart Gray was put in charge for three matches, the first of which was yesterday's 4-2 win over Sheffield United.

The Lancashire Telegraph's article also lists Bournemouth's Eddie Howe, former Hull City boss Phil Brown, St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes and Manchester United defender Gary Neville among the potential candidates.

Burnley operational director Brendan Flood told the Telegraph: “There’s lots of interest in the managerial role as always.

“Hopefully we can consider some very good candidates but we won’t be rushed into making a decision.

“We want to evaluate all our options and make a decision that will benefit the future of the football club.”