KEZIA Dugdale is expected to announce her bid for the Scottish Labour leadership later this week.
The Lothians MSP refused to be drawn as she left the regular meeting of Scottish Labour MSPs at Holyrood, telling reporters: "I'll make a decision in the next couple of days."
Party insiders later said she was almost certain to stand.
Ken Macintosh, the Eastwood MSP, confirmed he was considering throwing his hat in the ring.
However, he indicated a possible challenge would depend on the party changing the leadership election rules.
He said: "I've indicated to some of my colleagues I am interested in putting my name forward.
"But at this stage we need to agree a leadership process itself.
"I think it is fundamental that we move to OMOV (one member one vote).
"I am very much in favour of the union link but but the OMOV system, if we have got it for the national party we need it for the local party."
He called for a quick election process, with the next Holyrood poll less than a year away, but stressed: "There will be no formal declarations until we have that process in place."
Mr Macintosh came second in Scottish Labour's 2011 leadership contest, which was won by Johann Lamont.
Under the rules three sections - parliamentarians, party members and members of affiliated trade unions - each have a third of the vote.
In 2011, Mr Macintosh won the biggest share of ordinary members' votes but Ms Lamont had more support among parliamentarians and union members.
Leader Jim Murphy has said he will recommend a switch to OMOV in his final act before stepping down next month.
However, it is not clear whether the party's ruling Scottish Executive Committee will back his proposed reforms.
Mr Murphy, addressing MSPs for the first time since announcing his decision to resign in the wake of Scottish Labour's crushing election defeat, said the meeting had been "friendly".
It is understood he used the meeting - and a shadow cabinet gathering earlier in the day - to take soundings about another reform, re-opening selection contests for regional list candidates.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes yesterday cut the odds on Ms Dugdale succeeding Mr Murphy.
They made her a 1/3 odds on favour after taking one bet of £11,000 on her becoming the next leader.
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