HARRY REDKNAPP has urged the English Football Association to delay naming the next England manager until the end of the season, and believes whoever is appointed must be given a contract that extends beyond the European Championship.

Redknapp remains the favourite to replace Fabio Capello, and although David Bernstein, the FA chairman, has yet to approach the 64-year-old, having appointed Stuart Pearce as temporary manager for England’s friendly with the Netherlands this month, a formal move is expected to be made sooner rather than later. Bernstein is continuing to work on back-up options and the size of the salary and compensation package the FA would be able to afford.

Redknapp has already said that it would be “unfair” for him to leave Tottenham Hotspur before the end of the season, with the club third in the Premier League and playing Stevenage in the fifth round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

He said yesterday it would make sense if the decision regarding Capello’s successor was postponed for the next three months at least.

“Whoever they [the FA] go for, the chances are they’re going to be in a job,” Redknapp said.

“Whichever names they come up with it’s going to be difficult for people to suddenly walk out of their clubs at this stage of the year, so it would certainly make it easier for everyone [if the FA said it would not make any decisions until the end of the season].

“I couldn’t do anything now. The only thing I can concentrate on is Tottenham. I’ve got to be right to the club. I owe that to Tottenham.”

It has been suggested that the FA could appoint someone to take charge for Euro 2012 and make a decision over a long-term manager after the tournament.

Speaking in Dubai last week during a four-day break, Redknapp gave his backing to such a plan – raising the possibility that he could take the England job this summer before resuming his work at Spurs next season – but he now regards such a plan as unworkable. “If somebody takes it to the end of the Euros and it does not go well, where do you go then? Back to your club with your tail between your legs? I think it’s a job that somebody has to do full-time. You have got to make a decision on somebody and give it to them.”

Next up for Redknapp is the trip to Stevenage. Rafael van der Vaart will miss the cup tie at the League One club having failed to overcome a calf injury, while Younes Kaboul is struggling with a knee injury. Ledley King is likely to be rested, meaning Ryan Nelsen could start his first game since signing from Blackburn.

Louis Saha did not play for Everton in the FA Cup this season and is available this weekend. However long-term absentees William Gallas (calf) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are out.