Blackpool's in demand young boss Simon Grayson admitted he was flattered to be linked with the vacant Norwich City hot seat. Grayson has been strongly linked with the managerless Canaries along with a return to former club Leicester following the midweek departure of Gary Megson.

Blackpool's in demand young boss Simon Grayson admitted yesterday he was flattered to be linked with the vacant Norwich City hot seat.

Grayson has been strongly linked with the managerless Canaries, along with a return to former club Leicester following the midweek departure of Gary Megson.

The 38-year-old was forced to interrupt his pre-match preparations for Blackpool's Championship trip to Sheffield Wednesday to address growing speculation over his future.

"I'm employed by the club and until I'm told differently by someone else I am here," he said. "It is flattering to be linked with those sorts of clubs (Norwich and Leicester). Obviously I am Blackpool manager and all I am concentrating on is winning the game at Sheffield Wednesday. I'll be doing my utmost to help this club get three points. So I'm flattered to be linked but I'm just getting on with what I am doing.

"Everybody is professional enough to deal with the situation. When you've a team that is doing well, then certain players will be linked with moves. Sometimes the manager is also linked - that's just what happens in football all the time. It happens in every division. People at the most successful teams will always be linked with a move away."

Grayson has established the Seasiders in the Championship this season after earning League One promotion in the Wembley play- off final. The former Blackburn and Aston Villa defender succeeded Colin Hendry at Bloomfield Road in November 2005.

City chief executive Neil Doncaster reiterated during the last few days the club were now closing in on Peter Grant's long term permanent successor.

"We are trying to get the process done absolutely as speedily as we can while trying to get the right candidate," he said. "We had interviews last week, we had further interviews this week. We are close to making an appointment and we hope to make one in the near future."

Reports in Suffolk yesterday hinted City's selection panel had sounded out Sir Bobby Robson regarding Steve Staunton, who was dismissed as Republic of Ireland boss earlier this week.

Staunton is the latest name added to an ever growing cast list which includes Dion Dublin after City's injured campaigner refused to dismiss his own chances of succeeding Grant.

The injured Dublin is poised to assist caretaker boss Jim Duffy today at West Brom.

"If I was asked about doing the job I would have to think about it because a job like this might not come along in the whole of my career," he said. "It is not a direction I would take but you only get one chance now and again."