SWINDON Town boss Richie Wellens told fans to ‘take no notice’ of betting markets amid rumours linking the Mancunian to the vacant Salford City manager’s job.

Odds on Wellens to take over as the next permanent manager of the League Two side can be found at as short as 8-1 – the fifth most likely candidate ahead of current interim manager, Paul Scholes.

However, Roy Keane is the bookies’ favourite at almost evens, and with Wellens having only signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at the County Ground in February, the 40-year-old stated his allegiance to Town should not be in question.

He said: “I think I’ve proved my loyalty to Swindon in the past, so I don’t think I need to prove any kind of loyalty.

“Salford is a football club that’s owned by a group of people that I watched growing up as a Manchester United fan.

“They back their managers unbelievably, and whoever goes into that position will have an opportunity to do well because they will be given the finances and backing to be successful.

“So I don’t think my loyalty to this club should ever be put into question.”

The rumours of Wellens’ potential move back towards his hometown of Manchester have emerged at a time when the club’s form has started to dip slightly following defeats to Peterborough United, Exeter City and AFC Wimbledon.

And although Wellens insisted his loyalty to Swindon should never be questioned, the Town boss did highlight what an ideal job it would be for whoever takes over the Red Devils.

Wellens said: “As a manager you just want to be given a chance.

“What you don’t want is to be going up against people who have been given a chance, when you haven’t been given a chance.

“What I will say is, it is a fantastic job for anyone who goes in at Salford.

“But if somebody goes and sticks £50 on somebody to get a job, the price goes from 14-1 to odds on, so the betting markets are very volatile – take no notice of them.”