MARK Cooper has refused to comment on speculation linking him with the vacant manager’s position at Barnsley and insists it will not be a distraction ahead of Saturday’s game at home to Crawley Town.

On Monday, a national newspaper reported that the Town boss was in contention to be named Danny Wilson’s replacement at Oakwell following his dismissal last week.

It is believed Swindon turned down an approach from Barnsley for Cooper’s services, and in his first media appearance since the story broke, the Town boss was unwilling to be drawn on the subject.

Cooper told the local media: “No comment. I’m not going to talk about that. I’m just going to talk about the game.

“(It’s) not really (a distraction). I’m just concentrating on the game on Saturday.”