GARY BOWYER is high in the running to take over the vacant managerial position at Dundee, according to reports.

The Scottish Sun say the ex-Blackburn and Salford manager has shot to the top of the wishlist at Dens Park.

The 50-year-old would be taking his first Scottish job, having managed Blackburn Rovers, Bradford, Blackpool, and most recently Salford in the past.

Owners of Salford - Manchester United legends Gary Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs - felt the need to get rid of Bowyer after a stint of just over a year, in which they finished 10th in League Two.

Should he join Dundee he will face the tough job of getting the Dee back to the Premiership after they suffered relegation last term.

Dundee had been in talks with names such as Jack Ross and Shaun Maloney to take the helm during their search, but talks with both broke down as the parties could not come to an agreement.

Maloney was on the brink of accepting the job, but both parties decided otherwise and now it appears as though Bowyer could be close to landing the position.