Allen has been out of work since being sacked by Leicester.

Allen, 42, said he will "be applying for the job" and believes he can take the Robins into the Championship.

"It's definitely a job I'm interested in," Allen told the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald.

Leyton Orient boss Martin Ling described speculation linking him with the vacancy as "flattering".

Dave Byrne and Ady Williams have stepped into the breach following Sturrock's departure for Plymouth

"I don't think me and Ady need to apply because we're already in the job," said Byrne.

"All we've got to do is steer the ship in the same direction as Paul Sturrock did."

Allen has been out of work since August when he left Leicester after only three months in charge.

Before that he guided MK Dons into the play-offs in his first and only season in charge of the League Two club.

606: DEBATE A few seasons of seeing Allen "grace" the away bench at the CG has not put him in a great light Swindonhibee

Despite working with a limited budget at Brentford he twice reached the League One play-offs and the former West Ham midfielder believes he can do a similar job at the County Ground.

"They are three points off the play-offs with a game in hand and I want to manage in the Championship," Allen added.

"It's been done before at Swindon and who's to say it can't be done again?

"Once you've worked at Brentford under tight financial constraints like I did, you learn to get used to it.

"Which football clubs haven't got financial problems? That's life."

Sturrock was appointed as the new Plymouth boss earlier this week, a club he left in 2004 to take over at Southampton.

Former Town player Ling, who would be a popular choice with supporters, said: "I'm under contract at Leyton Orient and still have a big job to do here.

"If Swindon were to make an approach for me they would have to make it to my football club.

"It's a great job for someone though. Having said that I think sorting out the takeover should come first, then finding a manager."

Ex-Burnley manager Steve Cotterill has also been linked with the job but has refused to comment on any speculation.