A former Carshalton Athletic left-back could be confirmed as the next England manager within 48 hours.

Former John Ruskin College student Roy Hodgson is meeting with an FA panel and has been the only man so far approached to fill vacant position.

Croydon-born Hodgson looks set to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss after the Italian left the post in February.

The 62-year-old played for the Robins between 1974 and 1976, before moving to Sweden to take his first mangement job with Halmstads BK.

Hodgson transformed Halmstads’ fortunes and they were Swedish champions by the end of his first season, a feat he described as turning "water into wine".

He has gone on to establish a reputation as one of football’s nomads, managing 13 clubs in six countries during a 34-year management career, including two spells at Inter Milan.

He has also managed the Finnish and Swiss national teams and is currently in charge of Premiership side West Bromwich Albion.

Multi-linguist Hodgson can speak fluent Norwegian, Swedish and Italian as well as good German, Danish, French, Japanese and Finnish.

Hodgson was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday (April 27).

He told the BBC: "I don't what the plans are of the FA, as I've said all along. They've got a job to do. I'm sure they have looked into the sort of candidates that they consider potentially right for the job.

"No doubt, if you say next week, we'll find out which candidate they have plumped for."

The fans' favourite is current Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp but the FA has made no approach for him yet.

After a disappointing spell with Liverpool last season, Hodgson has this year guided the baggies to mid table safety in the Premiership.