Sir Bobby Robson has revealed that he is assisting Milan Mandaric in his search for a new Portsmouth boss.

Robson, who has been out of the game since he was sacked as Newcastle manager last August, has been helping the Pompey chairman appoint a successor to Alain Perrin.

And, after being denied permission to speak to Rangers boss Alex McLeish, Mandaric has admitted that he is considering appointing Robson in a non-managerial role.

"It's hard for me to talk about what's happening at Portsmouth because it's an ongoing situation," said Robson, who was also linked with a move to Hearts before the Scottish club appointed Graham Rix.

"All I can say is that I know what's going on Milan Mandaric's mind. He's talking to lots of different people at the moment and I'm trying to give him advice in whatever way I can."

Mandaric, who has refused to rule out a controversial move for former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, is expected to step up his pursuit of Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock later today.

With Rangers refusing permission for Pompey to talk to McLeish and Crystal Palace's Iain Dowie ruling himself out of the running, Mandaric is running out of candidates, although Warnock remains his first choice.

The Portsmouth chief remains hopeful of prising the lifelong Blade from Bramall Lane, but has hinted that any new manager could be asked to work under Robson.

"There is a possibility of putting a young up-and-coming manager in there and giving him a senior guy to work with," said Mandaric. "Someone like Sir Bobby Robson or David Pleat.

"We have a lot of hands-on things to be done. We need someone with tremendous knowledge and experience, so someone like Bobby Robson would be more than welcome in this environment."

McLeish had been on Mandaric's list of targets but, despite his problems at Ibrox, Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has insisted that the Gers boss is going nowhere.

"We can confirm that we have received an approach by Portsmouth Football Club asking for permission to hold talks with our manager Alex McLeish. Permission was not granted." said Bain.

Warnock is still considering his position, but persuading him to move to Fratton Park could depend on finding the right financial package.

"We have had discussion and dialogue with Sheffield United and right now we are talking with Neil's financial advisors," said Mandaric. "We know Neil is there and I hope we will be able to put that package to him and Sheffield United if he remains to be our number one."

Mandaric also admitted that Redknapp, who left Portsmouth a year ago and joined their south coast rivals Southampton, was also a possibility.

Mandaric added: "There is a short list - Neil Warnock, McLeish is now out - at least for the time being - Iain Dowie, I guess he's out.

"I haven't spoken to Southampton about Harry Redknapp, but I wouldn't rule that out."

* Robson will be in Darlington tomorrow, signing copies of his autobiography "Farewell But Not Goodbye". The former Newcastle and England boss will be at Waterstone's between 12-2pm.

*Robbie Fowler's agent insists the veteran striker has 'no problems' at Manchester City despite his unexpected omission from the Blues reserve-team squad.

Fowler has made just one senior appearance this season after struggling to overcome a long-standing back complaint.

Although he returned to full training a fortnight ago and has since had two run-outs in the Blues second string, Fowler has been overlooked for first-team duties by manager Stuart Pearce.

He had been expected to play for City's reserves against Bolton last night. But, even though the absences of Trevor Sinclair and Claudio Reyna have been explained, no official reason for Fowler's omission has been given.

''There are no problems,'' insisted George Scott. ''Robbie has been fighting his way back to fitness after a back injury and I don't think City would bother to play him in the reserves at this stage."