Martin Allen admitted at the weekend that he would welcome a swift return to football management - with Norwich City.

Martin Allen admitted at the weekend that he would welcome a swift return to football management - with Norwich City.

The former Barnet, Brentford and MK Dons boss parted company with Leicester City after just four matches this season. Allen had been manager at the Walkers Stadium for only 14 weeks, signing 14 players in the process, before a fall-out with chairman Milan Mandaric led to his departure "by mutual consent".

The 42-year-old ex-Queen's Park Rangers, West Ham and Portsmouth midfielder said he was keen to get back into work and was aware of the Norwich vacancy.

"It's something I would be interested in. I am out of work - between jobs, as they say, at the moment," said Allen.

But asked whether there had been any contact with Carrow Road, he said: "I haven't got any further comment to make at the moment."

Allen twice took Brentford to the League One promotion play-offs and repeated the feat with MK Dons in League Two last season. He signed a three-year deal with Leicester in May, but his relationship with Mandaric rapidly deteriorated.

A statement on the club website openly admitted that "differences between both parties regarding the direction of the club have led to a breakdown in the relationship".

Father of four Allen comes from a big footballing family.

His father Dennis, uncle Les and cousins Paul, Bradley and England international Clive all played the professional game at a high level.

Meanwhile, another of the bookmakers' outsiders for the Norwich job appears to have ruled out a move to England.

Hibernian boss John Collins has turned down an approach from managerless Queen's Park Rangers, whose 1-0 win over the Canaries on Monday night triggered Peter Grant's exit as boss.

Hibs are unbeaten after nine matches of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League season, and in second place. Collins, 39, has a contract to the end of next season with Hibs and said: "I have a job to do here and I intend to see it through. I never broke a contract during my playing career, and I've no intention of doing so now."