Reading boss Steve Coppell is being linked with the Republic of Ireland job.

He is the choice of the FAI's three-man committee of ex-Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton, Under 21 manager Don Givens and former England coach Don Howe, who have been talking for more than a month to find possible replacements for Steve Staunton, who was sacked in November.

The Daily Mail says Coppell, who has developed the careers of Irish strikers Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt, has led the committee to believe he would consider a move into international management but they want to know if he would make that switch now or at the end of the season.