Barnet boss Martin Allen has refused to be drawn on speculation surrounding his future, claiming he has yet to begin talks about a new deal with the club.

The Bees head coach signed a contract until the end of April when he returned to the club in March 2014 and had stated he would not discuss own future until the season was over.

However, following the departure of Andy Awford at Portsmouth in mid-April, Allen has included on a five-man shortlist to succeed the former Pompey player at Fratton Park.

The south coast outfit had asked for permission to discuss the vacant manager's position with Chesterfield boss Paul Cook but were blocked by the Spireites in their approach.

Allen, a former Pompey player who spent two years with the club between 1995 and 1997, was at one stage odds-on to be appointed manager of the League Two side.

But the 49-year-old has since drifted out to 8/1, making him the second favourite to Cook once more, though both are understood to be on the Blues' shortlist.

Allen has refused to speak to the Times Series since returning from Benidorm with his squad following an end of season break last week, but told the Non-League Paper on Monday he was unsure whether or not he would lead the Bees into League Two next season.

"I don't know," he said when asked. "We have not spoken about it yet. My contract was until the end of April.

"I promised all the players, the staff and the chairman that I would not be tempted to go off to anywhere else. I was committed to them.

"I thought it was important this time, for the people who support Barnet [to stay at the club]. To walk out over the last couple of months would have been horrendous and more than anything, I wanted to have a double championship," he explained.

Allen has history of leaving Barnet and is currently in his fourth spell with the Bees after first leaving in March 2004 to join then Division Two outfit Brentford.

Two further brief spells have been sandwiched between now and then as the former West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers midfielder played firefighter with Barnet staring relegation out of the Football League in the face.

Speaking after the Bees clinched the Conference title, chairman Tony Kleanthous was equally coy on his manager's future.

He said: "We were meant to be really, weren’t we? He is like a girlfriend you can never get rid of. I first employed Martin as a coach when he finished his football career. The trouble is we are never big enough for Martin. Hopefully now we can be big enough for Martin."

Asked if he would remain at the club beyond his current deal, he replied: "Martin has got an open contract, he just comes and goes when he likes.

"You can’t tie him down - I learnt that a long time ago. We just have a revolving door and we let him come and go when he pleases. As long as when he comes we have a few successes that is good."

The future of defender Bondz N'Gala appears more clear-cut after the powerful centre-back confirmed the Bees held the option of a further year on his contract.

Asked if he would like to remain at The Hive next season, the 25-year-old replied: "I've got an option on my contract so it's down to the club whether they want to take it up. I want to prove myself in the Football League."