England expects as FA turn to Baggies’ Hodgson

Barring an unexpected hitch, Roy Hodgson will become the new England manager after it was confirmed last night that the Football Association had been granted permission to speak with the West Brom boss.

Hodgson had been in the frame to replace Fabio Capello two years ago following England’s calamitous World Cup campaign.

In the end though, Capello stayed in his job and Hodgson opted to join Liverpool for an ill-fated spell, which seemed to signal the death knell for any England ambitions.