McInnes plays down West Brom link

McInnes played three seasons in midfield for West Brom

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes has dampened speculation linking him with the vacancy at West Brom by saying he hopes to extend his contract in Perth.

McInnes has 10 months left on his current deal at McDiarmid Park.

"I am hoping to negotiate a new contract over the next few weeks or so. I see my immediate future here at St Johnstone," he told BBC Scotland.

"I spoke to Geoff Brown, the chairman, on Tuesday and there's been no contact between the clubs."

McInnes, who spent three years with West Brom as a player, has been linked with a return to the Hawthorns from the moment Tony Mowbray's name was mentioned as a likely successor to Gordon Strachan at Celtic.

I have 10 months left on my current deal and I am very happy here St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes

With Mowbray having now made the move to Glasgow, McInnes has remained among the favourites for the vacancy after leading St Johnstone back to the Scottish Premier League as Division One champions in his first full season in charge.

But BBC Scotland understands that such a move is very unlikely and that the St Johnstone manager fully expects to remain at McDiarmid Park for next season's campaign.

"I trust the chairman absolutely," McInnes said of Brown.

"If there had been anything going on, he would have told me. I have 10 months left on my current deal and I am very happy here."

It appears that McInnes' fellow Scot, Alan Irvine, is now West Brom's main target, with Preston feeling obliged to issue a hands-off warning to their Championship rivals.