Boro boss refuses to give anything away amid speculation

STEVENAGE manager Graham Westley refused to confirm or deny reports he has spoken to Preston North End about the vacant manager’s job.

Many bookmakers have placed Westley as favourite to take the job at Deepdale, and despite acknowledging this, the Boro boss was quick to label reports as rumours, and insisted his focus is solely on Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash at Reading.

“Yes, as I believe,” responded Westley when told he is favourite with many bookmakers to become the next Lilywhites boss.

“I was the favourite for the Watford job not so long ago and it is credit to everybody at a football club of this size when you have your name linked to clubs of huge stature.

“The players have worked so wonderfully hard and won a lot of matches which is why those links develop. [But] we’ve got the FA Cup to think about, I think that’s where everybody’s focus needs to go – you don’t want anybody getting distracted.

“I read last week that Lawrie Wilson is moving to Leeds United. I believe Michael Bostwick will move somewhere before anyone moves anywhere.

“But you know what; we’re all focused on winning the next game, that’s all we ever do, and I think these distractions that people throw in are not really for us to talk about. We need to keep our mind on the job, because the only way you win games is to stay focused.”