CRAIG HARRISON can fully understand why he is favourite to land the Wrexham manager’s role.

The New Saints boss, fresh from guiding his unbeaten full-time outfit into the Welsh Cup final, remains the clear favourite to replace Kevin Wilkin at The Racecourse with interviews with potential candidates expected to be carried out in the next week.

Harrison (4/5) clearly leads the likes of Kevin Russell (4/1), Paul Cox (10/1), Mark Yates (12/1) and current Wrexham captain Dean Keates (16/1) in the betting.

And a ‘flattered’ Harrison is well aware that the success of caretaker boss Carl Darlington, who he worked with at both Airbus and TNS, means he will be in the frame.

“It is a bit strange really, especially when I am concentrating on keeping our undefeated and unprecedented run going,” explained the former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace defender when asked how it felt to be runaway favourite for the Wrexham hotseat.

“We also have a Welsh Cup final and then a Champions League campaign to look forward to.

“But given the connection with Darlo people will put two and two together and that obviously helps influence the situation.

“Carl has done really well in his three games in charge since Wilkin went and that helps link me with the job because I worked with Carl at TNS.

“I also brought Dave Spendiff to TNS and he is now physio at Wrexham and Sam Finley, who I signed for TNS, has been impressive in recent games in the Wrexham midfield.

“It makes sense that there will be links as there are a lot of people I’ve worked with at Wrexham.

“Geographically I am close to Wrexham and I’ve played in the Premier League, Championship and League One.

“I am only 37, but I’ve managed in the Champions League and won seven trophies, with a Welsh Cup final to come, in three-and-a-half-years as a full-time manager.

“I would like to think I tick a lot of boxes.”

For the full interview, pick up a copy of Wednesday's Leader.