The Football Association has denied drawing up a shortlist of candidates to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager.

According to reports in the British medias, Martin O’Neill is the FA’s favourite for the position with Stuart Pearce, Alan Curbishley and Guus Hiddink also being considered.

However, FA communications director Adrian Bevington said: “No shortlist has been drawn up yet.

“Any speculation suggesting there is, is inaccurate.”

The FA held preliminary discussions this week with a view to appointing Eriksson’s successor.

The FA has a three-man panel charged with finding the new manager.

They are FA chief executive Brian Barwick, international committee chairman Noel White and Premier League chairman Dave Richards.

O’Neill has been out of management since he left Celtic at the end of last season to look after his sick wife.

Hiddink manages Dutch club PSV Eindhoven as well as the Australia national team, while Portugal’s Brazilian coach Luis Felipe Scolari has also been mentioned.

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