Watford legend John Barnes has firmly distanced himself from speculation linking him with a return to Vicarage Road as the permanent successor to Aidy Boothroyd.

The former Hornets winger, who only officially took over the running of the Jamaican national side on November 1, told the Jamaica Observer: "I don't comment on speculation. Watford have not spoken to me nor have I spoken to them. The fact of the matter is that I have a job and that is the end of the story really.

"The obvious link though is that I am a former Watford player, as is Luther Blissett. Watford have just lost their manager so people are speculating about former Watford players. It is just paper talk.”

Barnes and Blissett are just two of the Watford old boys linked with taking the role currently being filled on a caretaker basis by Malky Mackay. The likes of Nigel Gibbs, Andy Hessenthaler and Tony Coton have been spoken of, while one firm of bookmakers now make current Millwall boss Kenny Jackett the 5-1 favourite to take over the Vicarage Road hot-seat.

The Hornets are searching for a new manager after parting company with Boothroyd on Monday, and the club confirmed around 50 expressions of interest in the position had been received by yesterday.