England fans in the dark over Scholes status and next boss

The FA have revealed that they don't expect to name England's manager for Euro 2012 until the "back end" of the current campaign, suggesting that the uncertainty surrounding the position will drag on until weeks before the start of the tournament.

The willingness to wait appears to strengthen the claims of 1.53 favourite Harry Redknapp, who is keen on the job but reluctant to leave Tottenham before securing a top-four finish 1.162/13, however FA general secretary Alex Horne denies that they are picking from a field of one.

He said: "There's definitely a list. We talk about it regularly. It's a back end of the season decision for us. A lot of the managers on the list are employed and we don't want to interrupt anyone's season."

The majority of punters can't see anyone other than Redknapp taking charge in Poland and Ukraine though, with 85.3% of the money staked in the market going on the Spurs boss.

If they are right, one consequence of his appointment could be the improbable return to the England team of Paul Scholes, the 37-year-old Manchester United midfielder who last represented his country in 2004 and retired from football altogether last summer, before a January change of heart.

Redknapp said last month that "whoever's there would love to take him" and while Scholes hasn't yet confirmed that he is available for international selection again, he admitted regret to snubbing Fabio Capello's offer of a place in his 2010 World Cup party.

What his inclusion would mean for the formation of the squad and the way they line up is unclear, as Redknapp has also hinted that he would make Steven Gerrard 4.216/5 captain and warned critics not to write off his nephew Frank Lampard.

Throw in current skipper Scott Parker, who he insisted deserved to go to South Africa, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick and - provided he is fully fit - Jack Wilshere, and there is a tough enough call on who to choose in the 23, before even considering how to accommodate them all tactically.