England role beckons for Platt

Platt: Rated highly by England manager Eriksson

David Platt is being tipped to become the new England Under-21 coach in the wake of Howard Wilkinson's resignation.

Wilkinson will meet England coach Sven Goran Eriksson and Football Association chief executive Adam Crozier on Monday to discuss a successor.

But Nottingham Forest boss Platt has emerged as the clear favourite.

I'm not surprised people keep linking him (Platt) with every job that comes up

  Eric Barnes
Forest chairman

Eriksson managed Platt, 35, when he was at Italian club Sampdoria and rates the former England captain highly.

The Swede also wants to appoint a young Under-21 coach who could one day go on to manage the full England side - and Platt fits the bill.

Eriksson had apparently become increasingly frustrated with Wilkinson, who refused to adopt the same tactics as the senior side and frequently played players out of position.

The job is likely to be full-time and would probably mean Platt having to quit as manager of Nottingham Forest.

Platt has been at Forest for two years, during which time they have finished 14th and 11th in the First Division.

Forest chairman Eric Barnes said he was not surprised that Platt was being targeted by England.

Taylor: Had to turn job down

"David does seem to be held in high regard," said Barnes.

"He's a very respected man and with huge experience and has all the right attributes to be a success at the highest level.

"I'm not surprised people keep linking him with every job that comes up."

Earlier this month, it was leaked that the FA had made an approach to former Under-21 coach Peter Taylor to take on his old job.

But Taylor was prevented from accepting by the club he manages, Leicester City.

Steve McClaren would have been a strong candidate a month ago, but he has since become manager of Middlesbrough.