Hull City caretaker manager Mike Phelan looks increasingly likely to lead the club into the Premier League season and has started preparing the team to face Leicester City on Saturday.

Phelan worked as number two to Steve Bruce, who resigned last month after four years at the helm, and has been overseeing the side for the past fortnight.

Hull were eager to bring Wales manager Chris Coleman to the KCOM Stadium and believed he was interested in the vacancy, but the Football Association of Wales rejected their approach last week and there have been no developments.

Roberto Martinez was also a target prior to taking over Belgium, and former West Ham and Watford boss Gianfranco Zola has been interviewed.

But it increasingly seems as though Phelan, who is eager to try his hand as a number one, will be given the chance to prove his credentials.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant has had no assurances from the Allam family but, with the 2016/17 campaign only days away, he is putting the necessary plans in place.

“As it stands at the moment, I possibly might be in charge against Leicester but you never know what a day can bring in football,” Phelan said.

“I’ve had no communication. I’m just thinking out loud really. I’m contracted to this football club and I’ve done what has been asked of me and I’m sure there’ll have to be some sort of discussion going into the week.

“There’s nothing different on my position. It’s just a case of doing my job and that’s all I can do until other people tell us what the next move is.”

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