Fulham boss Roy Hodgson feels Guus Hiddink won't have any problems combining the two coaching roles of Russia and Chelsea. Mark Hughes filling a similar role with Wales and Blackburn some years ago.

Lawrie Sanchez did the same thing with Northern Ireland and Fulham, while former England manager Kevin Keegan once split his time between the Three Lions and Craven Cottage.

"When I left Switzerland, when I signed a contract with Inter, they agreed to let me continue with the Swiss national team up until Euro 96," Hodgson said.

"When I first went to Inter I had a friendly match against England at Wembley but then, at the last minute, they had a change of heart and decided they wouldn't have me taking both jobs and would have a full-time manager heading into the European Championships.

"But it's certainly a possibility because Guus has been with the national team for a long time and he knows the players.

"I think his squad is fairly settled and he will be hoping, like most managers, come March his best players will be available (for 2010 World Cup qualifiers) and they will be there for him when they meet up.

"Of course he will be manager of Chelsea during that period and many of their top players will be away with their national teams, so it is very easy to leave it with your assistant to look after the players that are left behind.

"I don't see any hindrances in that respect."