Neil McDonald wants the Walsall job

Neil McDonald has declared his interest in the Walsall manager's job as Martin Allen also entered the race.

Former Blackburn assistant McDonald is keen on succeeding Chris Hutchings and saving the rock-bottom Saddlers.

McDonald lost out to Jim Gannon for the Port Vale job but is ready to return to the game after turning down the manager's post at Motherwell last month.

He said: "Of course I would be interested, I'm looking to get back in and be a manager again. I'm not ruling out being a number one or an assistant and I'm open to offers.

"Walsall are in a precarious position but, like in every job, it doesn't matter where you are because it's a challenge."

McDonald is out of work after leaving Ewood Park, where he was Sam Allardyce's assistant since 2008.

The pair were controversially dismissed by new owners Venky's and Allardyce insisted he felt McDonald should have replaced him – not current manager Steve Kean.

The former Carlisle boss rejected the job at Motherwell despite holding talks with Fir Park chief John Boyle, insisting it wasn't right for him.

Vale were also understood to have interviewed the 45-year-old before Gannon was appointed this morning.

McDonald had a successful season at Carlisle in 2006-07, guiding the Cumbrians to eighth in League One – their highest finish in 20 years at the time.

His name is the latest in the frame, with Chris Turner and Bobby Davison keen on the post.

Former Leicester and Milton Keynes Dons boss Allen has also told the Express & Star he is also interested.

Allen is out of work after leaving Cheltenham in 2009 and admitted, after a period away from football, he is ready to return.

He said: "I would welcome a call and I'd always be interested.

"I've got my hunger back. Apart from one club, my win ratio is great. I have taken clubs to the play-offs, or left when they were in the play-off positions.

"The challenge doesn't faze me. Look at where Brentford were when I took them over. They hadn't won in 17 games. When I took over at Milton Keynes Dons they had been relegated twice on the bounce.

"Walsall are a good club, I'm well aware of them and what they can do."