PHILIPPE TROUSSIER is the outright favourite to be appointed the next Saints boss by bookies Bet Direct.

The Littlewoods-backed company have just listed their odds on Strachan's successor on the internet.

They have installed ex-Japan coach Troussier is 7-2 favourite ahead of Micky Adams and Mark Hughes.

A new name Bet Direct have chucked into the Saints managerial ring is Colchester United boss Phil Parkinson.

The ex-Saints player, a 16-1 shot, has made a big impression since taking over at the Second Division club in February of last year. He has guided them through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they drew 1-1 at Coventry City last weekend.

Bet Direct have also listed Saints FA Cup winner Nick Holmes, the current Salisbury City manager, at 50-1 - the same price as ex-Dell bosses Graeme Souness and Glenn Hoddle.

Alex McLeish, who was linked to the impending St Mary's vacancy by some Scottish newspapers at the weekend, is not listed by Bet Direct.

BET DIRECT ODDS:

Troussier 7-2, Adams, Hughes 4-1, David Platt, Paul Jewell 10-1, Paul Sturrock, Parkinson 14-1, Nigel Worthington, Dave Jones, Kevin Keegan 16-1, Peter Reid, Steve Cotterill, Paul Hart 20-1, John Gregory, Georges Prost, Mark Wright, George Graham 25-1, Peter Taylor, Howard Wilkinson 33-1, Gary Megson 40-1, Hoddle, Holmes, Souness, Graeme Le Saux 50-1, Alan Shearer, Stuart Gray, Francis Benali, Jason Dodd, Matt Le Tissier 66-1, Lawrie McMenemy 80-1.