MANCHESTER CITY are likely to make a fresh attempt at the season's end to prise Alan Curbishley away from Charlton as managerial successor to Kevin Keegan.

Curbishley immediately distanced himself from speculation linking him with the job saying: "I'm not going to say I'm flattered, like the Palace manager Iain Dowie did when his name was mentioned, or annoyed because my name cropped up.

"I did notice that it cropped up because they have £62m worth of debts and wanted someone to manage them. Perhaps I've done that and perhaps I don't need to do that again."

Curbishley has plenty of admirers among City directors and sources close to the board believe they will not take no for an answer.

Much depends on how well City perform under caretaker manager Stuart Pearce who has been placed in charge for the rest of the season.

City are next up at The Valley on Saturday, April 2 when speculation is certain to be revived.