Shrewsbury Town: Morecambe manager Jim Bentley denies any 'approach'

Jim Bentley was appointed Morecambe boss, initially as player-manager, in 2011

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley has denied any "approach" from Shrewsbury Town, as the League One club look for a successor to Micky Mellon.

Bentley, 40, the EFL's fourth longest-serving manager, has been in charge of the Shrimps since May 2011.

He has been installed by bookmakers as co-favourite for the Town job, along with Wolves coach Rob Edwards, the Shropshire-born ex-Wales international.

"I've not heard anything, There's been no approach," Bentley told BBC Sport.

"It's nice to be linked with jobs but all I'm interested in is doing a job with Morecambe.

`It's been very difficult over the years being at one of the smaller clubs, having things stacked against us. But we've got a new owner come in and the future looks bright, with a lot going on behind the scenes," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Coincidentally, Liverpudlian Bentley was also linked with the vacancy at Tranmere Rovers, which was filled last week by Mellon, just as he was set to exit the Greenhous Meadow.

"I've been linked with two clubs in the last few weeks," Bentley added. "But it's all rumours at the moment."

Former Hibernian, West Bromwich Albion, Celtic and Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray, who left Coventry City a fortnight ago, is the latest to have told BBC Radio Shropshire that he is not interested in the job.

Bentley's Shropshire footballing credentials

Jim Bentley is the son of Jack Bentley, who has a stand named after him at Shrewsbury's neighbours AFC Telford United.

Bentley Sr scored over 400 goals in 14 years for the old Telford United and in their previous guise as Wellington Town.

Former Manchester City trainee Bentley Jr began his playing career with Telford in 1997, the central defender spending four and half seasons at the Bucks Head before moving in May 2002 to Morecambe.

He made 329 appearances, helping them reach the Football League for the first time in 2007. He then became manager of the Shrimps when Sammy McIlroy left in May 2011.