Terry Venables is expected to learn today whether he has been chosen to coach Nigeria in next year's World Cup finals in France. The former England manager is understood to be on a shortlist of three for the lucrative post along with Dutchman Jo Bonfrere, who has coached the African nation before, and Bora Milutinovic, recently sacked by Mexico despite qualifying for the World Cup.

Soccer Australia have said Venables, who is believed to be interested in the challenge, would be allowed time off from his post with their national side to work with Nigeria. The chairman of the Nigerian Football Association, Abdulmumini Aminu, said his decision will be announced today.