Sir Trevor Brooking backs Gareth Southgate for England job

Former FA director of development Sir Trevor Brooking has backed interim manager Gareth Southgate to lead England into the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Southgate has been drafted in to take temporary charge of the national team until the end of the year after Sam Allardyce was forced to step down just 67 days into his reign following an undercover media sting.

The 46-year-old began his four-match spell with victory over Malta on Saturday, and Brooking, who appointed Southgate as Under-21s manager, believes that he should get the senior job on a permanent basis.

"Hopefully he does enough in the next three games. Gareth is a great character but because he is a bit like that he comes across as boring to some people. He can be tough, he can be hard," he told BBC Sport.

"I think he should get the job. I am confident he will then get the two years taking us up to the World Cup and with the players that are coming through he can kick on for another two years as well."

Southgate's next match in charge comes away to Slovenia on Tuesday.