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WBA sizing up Hodgson replacement

Roy Hodgson is expected to be confirmed as England manager imminently © Getty Images

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West Brom have contingency plans in place should they need to find a replacement for head coach Roy Hodgson, the club's sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth has revealed.

Ashworth claimed West Brom were prepared for the departure of any key staff member as part of an already-existing policy to ensure they are not plunged into a crisis by the leaving of any individual.

Hodgson is expected to be named as England's new head coach after holding "positive" talks with the Football Association on Monday.

"Where we are strong as a club is in terms of our long-term planning,'' Ashworth said. "After Roberto Di Matteo joined us as manager, I said we were looking at other managers and studying them so, in the event of him leaving, we would have a number of candidates in mind.

"I took a lot of stick for that with people saying it undermined the head coach. Well he was so undermined that he got us promoted. Looking at what might happen next is not disrespecting or undermining anyone. We were simply looking at who might be a good fit here should a change be needed.

"You don't want a decision to suddenly drop out of the sky and you sit there twiddling your thumbs thinking 'what do I do now'. You need to have some form of succession planning and that's the same with coaches, scouts, doctors, sporting and technical directors etc.''

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton is reported to be high on the Baggies' list of potential targets should Hodgson link up with England.

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton is also an alleged contender, while current Bristol City boss and former Albion skipper Derek McInnes could be discussed although the pair have only limited managerial experience.

Alan Curbishley - who rejected the chance to take the Wolves job in February - former Birmingham boss Steve Bruce, Malky Mackay (Cardiff) and Chris Powell (Charlton) are also potential candidates.

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