Wayne Rooney has thrown his weight behind calls for the Football Association to hand Gareth Southgate the England manager's job on a permanent basis.
The England captain was part of the side that put bitter rivals Scotland to the sword in Friday night's 3-0 World Cup qualifying win - a match that saw Southgate maintain his unbeaten run as interim boss of the Three Lions.
The 46-year-old has been hotly tipped to replace Sam Allardyce as the next permanent manger of the senior national side, with speculation suggesting that Southgate will be given the role on a full-time basis regardless of the result England obtain from Tuesday's friendly fixture with Spain.
And, in quotes published by the Daily Mail, Manchester United skipper Rooney said that he believed Southgate was the number one choice to take charge of the senior England set up.
The 30-year-old said: "He's come in, he's done well. He did well with the Under 21s when he worked with them and he has done all he could.
"I am sure he has put himself as the frontrunner and I am sure the FA will make a decision but from my point of view he is in pole position and should be given the job."
England and the FA were left reeling following a turbulent period on and off the pitch, with the humiliation of exiting Euro 2016 to minnows Iceland compounded three months later by the removal of Allardyce as national team coach after the former Sunderland boss was accused of corruption.
Southgate, however, has led England to two wins and a draw from his opening three games at the helm as the Three Lions look to slowly bounce back from a dark period in their history.
The former Middlesbrough man spoke to the media after the victory over the Auld Enemy and, despite not stating categorically that he wanted the job, Southgate hinted that he was extremely open to being handed the opportunity if asked to take up the reins.
Interim @England boss Gareth Southgate tells @gabrielclarke05 he's 'loved' doing the job so far https://t.co/GZ61YdHxZo
He said: "I've loved it. I've really enjoyed the role and the responsibility, the challenge of every part of it.
"I get that it's not quite as enjoyable if you don't get the results. There are nights where you have to get over the line and get the result, but it's been a brilliant experience. I've taken so much from that.
"As a group of staff we've prepared the team really well and created a good environment. Hopefully the players have enjoyed it too."
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