Former Peterborough boss Mark Cooper today emerged as a shock name in the frame to succeed Rob Smith as AFC Telford United manager.

The former Telford United loanee endured a turbulent 12 games in charge of the Championship club earlier in the season.

But his stock remains high after guiding Kettering to the Blue Square North title in 2008-09 and on to the verge of the Conference play-offs this season.

And the revelation that the 41-year-old would be prepared to consider dropping back into the non-League ranks is certain to make the Bucks hierarchy sit up and take note.

“I’m sure if the chairman wants to speak to me, he’ll pick up the phone,” said Cooper, who has also been linked with the vacancies at League Two sides Hereford and Barnet.

“That’s not me being big-time, and I have a lot of respect for Telford. It’s a great set-up with passionate fans.

“I’m not too big to say I won’t go there just because I was at Peterborough. I’ll talk to anyone.

“I don’t think I’ve got a lot to prove,” he added. “I went to a club that was punching above its weight in the Championship.

“I’ve also read stuff about the supposedly massive budget I had at Kettering, which is totally untrue.”

Cooper is the latest in a long line of big names to be linked with the Telford hotseat. Jimmy Quinn and Carl Heggs have confirmed their applications, while the likes of Andy Sinton, Tim Flowers, Des Lyttle and Andy Preece have all been mentioned.

But one man who has today all but ruled himself out of the running is Morecambe’s skipper and reserve team manager Jim Bentley.

The 33-year-old was a hugely popular player at Telford, and his legendary father Jack remains the club’s record scorer.

“I’d be proud as punch to be manager of Telford one day, but I do not know if now is the right time,” he said.

“You never say never, but I’m still a player at Morecambe right now and very happy here.”