BURY manager Alan Knill is the man at the top of Scunthorpe United's wanted list.

They are currently believed to be locked in a battle to persuade the Shakers to part with the 46-year-old ahead of a crucial final eight games of the campaign for both clubs.

The Telegraph understands Knill, a former Iron captain, is the man the board want to succeed Ian Baraclough.

Bury yesterday refused to comment on whether the Iron had made an official approach for Knill when questioned by their local media.

The former Rotherham United manager is under contract at Gigg Lane until summer 2012 and while talks over compensation between the two clubs are thought to have taken place, the big stumbling block is the timing of United's move.

Bury are currently third in League Two, well-placed for promotion, and are understandably reluctant to see Knill, and potentially some of his backroom staff, move to Glanford Park.

Reports in national newspaper The Mirror today suggest United have been granted permission to talk to their former defender - but Bury have since denied that story, saying Knill took training as normal today.

Speculation linking the Shakers boss with a Scunthorpe switch refuses to go away – fuelled by a post-match radio interview after Bury's goal-less draw at Port Vale on Saturday where Knill suggested he may have an impending big decision to make.

"Unfortunately, sometimes opportunities come along and you have to make decisions that aren't easy or popular," he declared.

When asked if he had already spoken to United, Knill responded: "It's not really for me to say."

Bury yesterday tried to put a dampener on the speculation.

The Shakers last week released an official statement saying their manager was going nowhere and yesterday club director Mark Catlin made the unusual step of commenting on an internet messageboard.

"I know that there are calls on here (and other mediums) to make some kind of official statement regarding the future of Alan Knill, we clearly did this last week," he insisted.

"Subsequently Alan gave an interview, which I agree gave out mixed messages (although not as bad as many make out), and then the press, mixed with bookies, and apparently those 'in the know' at Scunthorpe, have all added to it with the result that apparently Alan is about to sign for them.

"If this is the case then it is news to me, our chairman, and the rest of the board of Bury FC!

"Alan is ambitious, and surely we want that in our manager, players, and throughout the club in general.

"Bury FC is no different to any club in that it will not stand in the way of anyone that does not want to be here, but that simply is not the case with Alan."

Online bookmakers also seem confident Knill is the man the Iron want.

Victor Chandler had the Shakers chief at 1/6 to become the next permanent boss at Glanford Park, while Skybet had him at a massive 1/25 throughout yesterday. Rarely are they that wrong.

The big question is, whether the Iron will wait until the summer for Knill.

Ideally, they need someone in place sooner rather than later, to at least plan for next season even if it comes too late to save their current Championship status.

Whether Knill is that man only time will tell, but no-one seems to be answering the key questions that would end all speculation – have the Iron approached Bury about recruiting Knill? Is the Shakers manager interested?