FC Copenhagen manager Roy Hodgson is clearing the way for the FA to approach him in their search for a long-term successor to Kevin Keegan as national coach.

Copenhagen sports director Niels-Christian Holmstrom retracted an earlier "hands-off" warning over Hodgson when saying: "If there is a sincere wish from Roy to take on the heavy responsibility to be the team manager for England, we will sit down and talk."

Sweden's Sven Goran Eriksson has pledged his loyalty to Lazio and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insisted he'd see out his contract at Highbury, which runs out in 2002.

Even so, Eriksson will hold discussions with Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti when the latter returns from a trip to Brazil and FA chief executive Adam Crozier is due to fly to Rome on Thursday for talks.