LES Ferdinand is the bookmakers’ odds-on favourite to become the next Swindon Town manager, as the Robins look increasingly likely to turn to the former England striker to replace Kevin MacDonald.

The prices offered by bookies on Ferdinand becoming the new boss at the County Ground were slashed yesterday, while talk within the football world suggested that chairman Jed McCrory and director of football operations Lee Power already have a strong idea of who they want to take on the role - despite in excess of 30 applications reaching the club since MacDonald’s departure on Saturday.

Ferdinand is believed to have been considered for the post following the resignation of Paolo Di Canio in February, before McCrory & Co opted for MacDonald, while the club are also understood to have pondered an approach to make the ex-Newcastle frontman Town’s director of football in recent months.

Ferdinand currently holds a coaching position within the Tottenham development set-up, from which Swindon have already signed five players this summer - Grant Hall, Alex Pritchard and Massimo Luongo on loan and Nathan Byrne and Jack Barthram permanently.

He reports to head of development Tim Sherwood, who has close personal ties to Town’s director of football operations Lee Power.

Swindon are keen to have a new manager in place by the start of the new Football League season on August 3 although, with a pre-season tour to Portugal planned to begin on Sunday, any deal could be hurried through before then.

In the meantime, Mark Cooper continues to hold fort alone at Liddington. Only the caretaker boss and goalkeeping coach Fraser Digby are on hand to look after the 25-man Swindon squad at present.

Cooper himself has said he has not formally applied for the role, but former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler confirmed to the Advertiser via Twitter yesterday that he would be interested in taking on the position.

He wrote: “Would I be interested in the job? Of course I would, who wouldn't.”

Meanwhile, former Town midfielder Martin Ling has said he and Swindon would be a “perfect fit”, although he feels the role may have already been filled.