FORMER Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson has been installed as the new favourite to succeed Kevin Keegan as England boss.

Bookmakers William Hill have installed Hodgson as 2/1 favourite after the FA seemed to back away from appointing former favourite Terry Venables.

FA Chief executive Adam Crozier and his six appointed helpers -- including technical director and current caretaker boss Howard Wilkinson -- discussed the new appointment for four hours yesterday.

Venables, formerly 2/7 hot favourite with Hills has been lengthened to 9/4 and Hills then offer 7/2 Sven-Goran Eriksson, 7/1 Arsene Wenger, 8/1 Alex Ferguson, 12/1 Bobby Robson, 14/1 Bertie Vogts, 20/1 Glenn Hoddle, Bryan Robson, Peter Taylor.