Aldridge favourite to follow McCarthy

JOHN ALDRIDGE is emerging as favourite to succeed Mick McCarthy when Ireland's team manager decides to vacate the post.

McCarthy stressed this week that he had no intention to resign from the position he has occupied since 1986, but there are grounds for believing that he and the FAI are moving towards closure.

McCarthy's contract with the FAI is set to continue until February 2004 but it is expected that private talks between the two parties to cancel the contract will bring a resolution next week.