Earlier in the day, the majority of firms suspended betting on the market with former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton, later second-favourite at 6/4, as low as 1/10 with Sky Bet and Victor Chandler to take the job. Caretaker boss Michael Appleton was a 9/4 shot to be appointed on a permanent basis and he confirmed on Thursday that he is "going to try to grasp the opportunity" at The Hawthorns. Sky Bet's Ryan Coombs said: "Continued support for Roy Hodgson has seen us make him 10/11 favourite for the job and this has pushed out the odds for Michael Appleton and one time 1/10 favourite Chris Hughton. "It still seems a three-horse race with no interest in any of the other runners." The Baggies insist no decision has yet been made about the appointment of a new chief. Before Appleton's press conference at West Brom's training ground on Thursday, a club spokesman issued a short statement refuting claims in the morning that the appointment of Hughton was imminent. It read: "Contrary to widespread reports in today's media, I can categorically state that no decision has yet been made by the football club regarding the appointment of a new head coach."
