GRAHAM Branch has urged the Burnley board to take a gamble on Steve Davis.

Although experienced managers such as Joe Royle and Peter Reid have been linked with the vacant manager's post at Turf Moor, Branch believes the man the suits are looking for to become Steve Cotterill's successor is right under their nose.

The 35-year-old, who played alongside Davis in the Clarets teams of the late 1990s-early 2000s - and still calls the former captain 'Skip', believes what Davis lacks in experience, he more than makes up for with his impeccable man-management skills.

"Steve has got a lot of respect in Burnley, from fans and players, and it's happened before when someone with hardly any experience has been given a go and done well, and I don't see why Skip shouldn't be the same," said Branch, who signed for Accrington Stanley after ending an eight-and-a-half-year association with Burnley in the summer.

"He has a hell of a lot of respect, and his demeanour is a big factor in that because he talks to people with respect.

"I don't know who Burnley have on the shortlist but, for me, there isn't really anyone out there that stands out, compared to last season when a lot of managers were doing well.

"Maybe that might be a case for Skip to put his name forward.

"I'm not the one with the money who has to make these decisions, but he knows what he is talking about.

"He's a good man, a bright man, and I would be delighted if he was made manager.

"The only thing he is lacking is experience. Burnley is a big club and I'm sure they will want someone with a bit of experience.

"I think he would relish the chance because I know how important the club is to him.

"He is so knowledgeable about the game, and he's been in it long enough."

Branch added: "I get on very well with Skip, and one thing he did do very well was take people to one side and have a quiet word with them. He didn't bully them and shout at them like a lot of managers do.

"There are a lot of fragile egos in football and people need to be spoken to properly.

"I don't know one person that's got a bad word to say about him, and you don't get many people in football who you can say that about."