Steve Coppell could have a huge say in who becomes the next Crystal Palace manager as they search for the right replacement for George Burley.

The Eagles legend was in the stands as Palace beat Preston North End on Monday and could even be a contender for the job himself having been out of work since walking out on Bristol City in August.

Although co-chairman Steve Parish revealed Coppell was not among the 20 applicants he has for the job, he admitted it would be madness not to talk to the 55-year-old, even if it just for advice on who to appoint.

"I don’t know what Steve’s situation is at the moment and I don’t know whether he wants to manage," he said.

"But I will absolutely be giving him a ring and having a chat to him.

"If nothing else I know Steve will be a great sounding board for us in terms of who we should we get.

"He cares for the club deeply and although the word legend is overused I think he is a definite legend here.

"He has been a fantastic manager everywhere he has been apart from a couple of clubs where it hasn’t worked out and he’s walked out of those early and honourably.

"He’s definitely someone during this process I would be mad not to have a chat to but it is just a chat to see where his head is at.

"If he said 'Steve, I wouldn’t mind doing it' then obviously I would have to consider it but don’t expect Steve Coppell to apply for the managers job at Crystal Palace."Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton is not among the candidates either despite being one of the favourites with the bookies after he was spotted at The New Den watching Palace's dismal 3-0 defeat to Millwall.

"I have never met Chris Hughton in my life and we have not had a job application from him.

"He came to the Millwall game presumably because he wanted to take in a game in London and that obviously set everybody talking.

"He is a very good young manager and obviously he is somebody who, if he applied for the job, then we would consider out of courtesy."