Speculation mounts on Trapattoni appointment

It appears increasingly likely this morning that Italian football manager Giovanni Trapattoni is in line to be offered the vacant Republic of Ireland post.

It has been reported that the FAI's three-man recruitment panel Don Givens, Ray Houghton and Don Howe have flown to Austria to meet with the Red Bull Salzburg manager, with a view to the formality of presenting him for appointment to the FAI board of management for confirmation on Wednesday.

The other favourite for the job, former England manager Terry Venables, has recently expressed his desire for the job, as the protracted process of appointing Steve Staunton's successor appears to be reaching a conclusion.