Neil Ruddock's surprise emergence as a candidate for the vacant Brighton hotseat hasn't caused too much unrest at the County Ground.

Although Brighton have made no formal approach to talk to Ruddock, the former Liverpool star has been tipped as an outsider for the post.

Ruddock joins a shortlist including Brentford's Steve Coppell, former Middlesborough boss Bryan Robson, Steve Cotterill of Cheltenham and Terry Burton, who was recently axed at Wimbledon.

Town Director Bob Holt has stated that the club will not stand in Ruddock's way should he fancy the challenge of management on the south coast.

With Razor burning a huge hole in Town's fragile finances, Holt and the board would gladly let Ruddock walk with two years still to run on his Town contract.

Holt confirmed that no approach had been made from Brighton as yet, but insisted that Razor would get a decent reference should the Seagulls make a formal move for Town's player-coach. If only to remove a financial burden from the club.

"No one has approached us about Neil Ruddock," said Holt.

"They may have informally approached him, I don't know.

"But if he does get himself a job at another club, good luck to him. We won't stand in his way.

"He is costing us £250,000 a year. He hasn't played since December and my guess is he won't play again. We have to pay that for another two years so that's £500,000 we have to pay out.

"I've nothing personal against Razor Ruddock.

"If I was offered his contract I would take it we all would.

"But now he's finished his playing career, or so it would appear, and if he can get a job in management, that's what all footballers would like to do.

"He is a leader of people, there is no doubt about that. He has a great presence and he was a great athlete.

"I think he would make a good manager, but we've already got a good manager in Andy King."

Ruddock was unavailable for comment.