Chris Sutton was today named manager of Lincoln City, with the League Two club admitting they had taken a "calculated gamble" on the former Blackburn and Chelsea striker.

The 36-year-old has been out of football since an eye injury forced him to end his playing career at Aston Villa in 2007.

Lincoln are 19th in the table and have turned to the managerial rookie, and his former Blackburn team-mate Ian Pearce, after sacking Peter Jackson earlier this month.

The club said: "We received more than 70 applications for the vacant manager's post and although this double appointment could be seen as a calculated gamble, the board have every confidence in Chris and his assistant, Ian.

"They impressed every member of the board with their enthusiasm, ambition and preparation and the decision to appoint them was a unanimous one."

Sutton won the title during a five-year stay at Blackburn but then scored just one goal during a frustrating season at Chelsea.

He will not take charge until after tomorrow's game against Notts County, who made the headlines this summer by appointing Sven-Goran Eriksson as director of football.