The search for the new England manager has come down to a short-list of three or four candidates, the Football Association's board will be told on Wednesday.

The nominations panel have whittled down a list of hopefuls to the final few, whom they will interview before a final decision is made.

The board members, who it is understood will not be told the names on the short-list, will also be updated with the latest developments regarding Wembley - and discussions will centre on the action that can be taken to try to recover penalty payments from builders Multiplex.

The construction firm insist changes to the design mean they should not be liable for the £140,000-a-day charges imposed for over-running their deadline. The FA and Wembley claim any changes have been very minor, and legal action is set to ensue.

On the search of Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor, the short-list is thought to include Martin O'Neill and Steve McClaren - the Middlesbrough manager who is also the current coach's assistant.

The nominations group - made up of chief executive Brian Barwick, international committee chairman Noel White, Premier League chairman Dave Richards and FA board member David Dein - have chosen the short-list.

They will also interview all the candidates as a panel, perhaps with FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking alongside, and report to FA chairman Geoff Thompson on their preferred choice.

Meanwhile, England striker Michael Owen has made it clear he would prefer the new national team manager to be English.

He said: "If I had my wish I suppose I'd say I'd prefer him to be English than not. The criterion is 'always get the best man for the job' - but if that man could be English then great."