Today's papers are reporting that Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane are both in the running for the Ireland job.

Martin O'Neill who had been linked to the position is expected to confirm he is not interested in the next week or so.

The Irish Independent reports that leading players believe Ipswich manager and former Ireland boss McCarthy will get the job.

At the weekend he refused to rule himself in or out, remaining coy on the subject. But one complication could be the compensation that Ipswich would seek. Some resources place that fee as high as €500,000.

However, the newspaper also reports that the shortlist FAI selection duo Ruud Dokter and Ray Houghton are working through also includes foreign names like Dick Advocaat, Hector Cuper and Carlos Queiroz, while former Rangers and Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is also said to be under consideration.

Cuper, who lead Valencia to consecutive Champions League finals over a decade ago, is said to be very interested in the role but his recent record is quite poor.

Meawhile, the Irish Daily Star reports that Roy Keane has made contact with the FAI via intermediaries regarding his interest in the position.

According to reports, Houghton and Dokter will meet the former Ireland captain next week.