KARL Robinson and Steve McClaren have this morning distanced themselves from speculation linking them with the Oxford United vacancy.

Robinson, 37, became the seventh different person the bookmakers have made favourite to succeed Pep Clotet since the Spaniard was sacked on January 22.

And McClaren has also featured prominently in the betting this week.

Robinson, who was at Milton Keynes Dons for six years, has been in charge at Charlton Athletic since November 2016.

A takeover is in the pipeline at the south London club, which would create some uncertainty over his future.

But while revealing he had turned down a chance to speak with a club during his tenure at the Valley, the connection with United was news to him.

He told the South London Press: “I know nothing about that.

"Since I’ve been here I have had an opportunity to go but I declined speaking to them.

“It is part and parcel of football. People look from the outside at what is going on at Charlton – where people don’t know what is happening. I’m in the midst of that.

“I have been really happy here and people seem to be happy for me to stay here.

"If people don’t want me here, then that changes things.”

McClaren, who is weighing up his options after leaving a consultancy role with Maccabi Tel Aviv in December, was similarly cool on the speculation.

He told Sky Sports News: “I don’t know where it’s come from (rumours of him joining).

"Maybe it’s because I played there for a bit but I’ve not had any contact with the club.

"I’ve heard nothing from Oxford.

"I’m enjoying my media work and taking a step back from the game and seeing what comes next.”