Sturrock marching in as Saints’ favourite

PLYMOUTH boss Paul Sturrock is expected to be the new Southampton manager after Glenn Hoddle yesterday dramatically withdrew from the race to succeed Gordon Strachan.

Sturrock, 47, a former Scotland team-mate of Strachan, has held talks with Saints chairman Rupert Lowe and is set to move to St Mary's as soon as Lowe and Argyle vice-chairman Peter Jones agree on compensation.

Sturrock was catapulted to the front of a queue of managers reported to include sacked Marseille manager Alain Perrin, Qatar coach Phillipe Troussier and Leicester boss Micky Adams by Hoddle's decision to tear up his application to win his old job back.