DEREK ADAMS appears to be closing in on the vacant manager's job at Motherwell.

The former Fir Park player was one of several names first linked with the Well hot seat vacated by Stuart McCall two weeks ago.

Billy Stark, Billy McKinlay and former Champions League winner Winston Bogarde were just a few of the top tips to be the man to take the Steelmen back up the SPFL Premiership.

Caretaker boss Kenny Black helped the team record their first league win in five games last week against Dundee United.

However, it is unclear if McCall's former assistant has added his name to the list of 53 candidates for the post.

It is understood Adams was one of those interested in the job, with odds on the former Ross County manager being the Fir Park board's choice plummeting in the last 24 hours.

On Tuesday afternoon the 39-year-old was a 14/1 shot to become Motherwell's new leader, but as of 8am yesterday, that number had contracted dramatically to 2/5.

It was reported earlier in the week that former Newcastle United ace Nolberto Solano was a contender for the job after it emerged a London-based consortium was considering a move to buy the club.

Fan ownership group the Well Society have until the end the month to reach a financial target if their hopes to take over Well are to remain on track.

But if that bid was to fall through it is believed Solano would be the man backed by the consortium to become their manager if their move was successful.

Currently the Peruvian is the bookies' second favourite to succeed McCall at 9/1.

Odds for other contenders see former Watford boss McKinlay at 14/1 along with Gary McAllister, while Fir Park youth chief Scott Leitch is at 20/1 along with Owen Coyle and Dumbarton's Ian Murray.

Adams was dismissed from County back in August, the club he guided to a Scottish Cup final as well promotion two years ago to the top flight.

During his playing career, the midfielder racked up 159 appearances for Motherwell over a six-year spell, scoring 19 goals.