Speculation is rife that Martin O'Neill is set to be appointed as the next Republic of Ireland manager.

A number of bookmakers have suspended betting on who will replace Giovanni Trapattoni in the role.

O'Neill's appointment looks more and more likely, with the news that the FAI have still made no approach to Ipswich Town to speak to Mick McCarthy.

The FAI's recruitment team of Ray Houghton and Ruud Dokter are due to deliver an update on their progress later today.

Speculation that an appointment is close has been increased by the news that Ireland will host Latvia in a friendly international on November 15th at the Aviva Stadium.

Noel King has been asked to draft a preliminary 40-man squad for the friendlies against Latvia and Poland this month. But he has not been told that he will be in charge for the games.