Dan Ashworth's FA future hit by doubt

Sir Trevor Brooking has revealed the FA are considering a rethink on their plans for a technical director – throwing fresh doubt on the future of Albion's Dan Ashworth.

The Baggies' sporting and technical director was believed to be in pole position for the technical director's role with a formal approach expected from the FA this week.

But Sir Trevor, the FA's director of football development, today revealed the role might not now be filled with the governing body considering splitting the job between several people.

Asked whether the FA still planned to name a technical director, Sir Trevor said: "Probably not. There was an expectancy level that Gareth Southgate might be that person, we had an interview process and Gareth decided it might be too early for him.

"I partly do that role anyway but we were trying to look longer-term at possible successors.

"With everything that is involved with the EPPP (elite player performance plan), you start to think about several areas that might need to be two or three key areas."

The governing body are still expected to seek talks withAshworth about a role within the set-up at the new St George's Park national football centre, but that might not tempt him.

Meanwhile, Leighton Baines was today set to be handed his first competitive start for England after Ashley Cole was ruled out of Friday's opening World Cup qualifier against Moldova with an ankle injury.

Despite being part of the international set-up for more than three years, Everton left-back Baines has only one previous competitive appearance – as a substitute for Cole in last year's European Championship qualifier against Switzerland.