Dalglish comes into the equation

The name of Kenny Dalglish will be thrown into the hat when the Football Association's selection committee meet to discuss Terry Venables' successor today.

Jimmy Armfield, who has been canvassing opinion within the game, confirmed last night that the Blackburn Rovers director of football is a candidate. The Scot is understood to be keen on the prospect.

"We would prefer an Englishman, but we have to seek the best man for the job," Armfield said. "At this stage we have not drawn up a shortlist, but we will be discussing how to go about it."

Bryan Robson, it seems, has ruled himself out but he suggested his namesake Bobby Robson as a possible alternative. "He's been in the job for eight years, he got us to the semi-finals and he always qualified for the World Cup," the Middlesbrough manager said.

Venables has added Liverpool's Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore to his squad for training this week at Bisham Abbey.

David Batty, left out of the Blackburn side on Saturday, is to have talks with his manager, Ray Harford, today, with Newcastle believed to be ready to offer pounds 2m.