Stuart Gray's appointment as Fulham manager has moved ever closer after he was made evens with the bookmakers to replace Kit Symons.

The 55-year-old former Southampton manager, who is rumoured to be being lined up for a caretaker role at Craven Cottage, has been out of work since leaving Sheffield Wednesday last summer.

He has shot to the top of the bookmakers’ list just ahead of Alex McLeish and Steve Clarke , who came close to taking the job last month before deciding to stick with Reading, who have since sacked him.

Also in the running: Alex McLeish

Gray who has also managed Northampton Town, has been temporary manager at Aston Villa, Wolves, Burnley and Portsmouth over the years.

Fulham, who have yet to win under current caretaker Peter Grant and lost 3-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, will hope Gray can provide a steadying influence until the end of the season, when their search would start again.

However, even if Gray is only a temporary appointment, his arrival is unlikely to be which excites Whites fans.