David Kelly has not got the Walsall nod yet, claim Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe insist they have had no formal approach from Walsall for their assistant manager David Kelly.

The 50-year-old, who is affectionately known as Ned, is now joint favourite with some bookmakers to fill the managerial vacancy left by Dean Smith.

But an Iron spokesman confirmed to the Express & Star that the club has had no approach for Kelly's services and that he remains a key part of Mark Robins' coaching set-up at Glanford Park.

Kelly began his playing career with the Saddlers, enjoying a hugely-successful five years with the club between 1983 and 1988.

A striker, the Republic of Ireland international scored 63 goals in 147 appearances which included a hat-trick in the 1987/88 play-off final which saw Walsall overcome Bristol City to win promotion to the Second Division.

Despite enjoying cult status as a player, Kelly sparked controversy in February 2013 when he left his role as Walsall assistant manager after just nine days. Appointed by his close friend Smith, Kelly decided to leave to become the No.2 at Nottingham Forest after they hired Billy Davies as manager. He had previously worked under Davies at Preston.

Meanwhile, physio Jon Whitney – who is currently in caretaker charge with Neil Cutler and John Ward – confirmed he is planning to make a presentation to the Saddlers board shortly, but wouldn't state if that was for the managerial vacancy.

"I have asked for a five-year contract," Whitney joked. "But, in all seriousness, I've sat down with Neil and John to get a contingency plan together.

"We need to decide how we are going forward. All we have been asked to do is to keep the ship afloat, keep the momentum and try and push on. The players have been fantastic for us and we're super proud of them. But I couldn't tell you if the presentation will be for the manager's job

."