Thompson eyes Blackpool job

Blackpool caretaker manager Steve Thompson insists he is ready to take up the reins on a permanent basis.

Dundee United boss Peter Houston is the front-runner to succeed Michael Appleton at Bloomfield Road after the SPL side gave him permission to open talks on Tuesday.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be to be a number one," said Thompson, who was also placed in temporary control when Ian Holloway left to take charge of Crystal Palace in October.

"I've got a healthy relationship with the players. People say I'm close to the players - I am close.

"On the back of being close I've got two promotions and a play-off final.

"I work on those training pitches for as long as they want to do but I'm not their mate. I go out there to coach and to make them better players.

"That's Steve Thompson. Whatever happens, I'll give this club my best shot whatever role I'm in."