Notts County head coach Ian Burchnall's odds rocket to become new Lincoln City manager

Notts County head coach Ian Burchnall has shot up the bookies' odds to become the new Lincoln City manager.

The Imps are on the search for a successor to Michael Appleton who left Sincil Bank by mutual consent earlier this week just a year after he led them to the League One play-off final. Lincoln had wanted to talk to Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradshaw and made a formal approach, but he has now decided to remain in Ireland.

Nottinghamshire Live has been told that Lincoln's hierarchy has discussed Burchnall as a potential candidate with the former Ostersunds coach on track to lead Notts to the play-offs for a second consecutive season after being appointed last March.

Burchnall's stock has risen since his switch to Meadow Lane having cultivated a side widely regarded as the best footballing team in the National League. They currently sit fifth in the National League table and have scored a whopping 77 goals this season.

He has also developed and improved young players which has led to Kyle Wootton and Ruben Rodrigues hitting 20 goals in all competitions while Callum Roberts has also hit double figures for the first time. It is thought that Lincoln are keen to appoint a manager with a track record of developing talent which is why Burchnall is understood to have come under consideration.

The odds of Burchnall becoming the new Lincoln manager have increased in the last 24 hours with the Magpies' head coach now 4/1 making him third favourite to land the position. But it is likely that Lincoln would have to pay compensation for Burchnall who reportedly signed a four-year contract upon his arrival at Notts last March.

There is also the matter of Notts being involved in the National League play-offs as they seek a