SPECULATION linking Eddie Howe with the England job cooled following reports Hull manager Steve Bruce had been lined up for an interview with the FA.

The Telegraph claimed the former Manchester United captain would be contacted by FA technical director Dan Ashworth imminently to see “how he would embrace the challenge of repairing the damage done by a disastrous European Championship campaign”.

Cherries boss Howe has been heavily linked with the job since the resignation of Roy Hodgson on the back of a shock last-16 defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016.

At the weekend, the Daily Mail stated Howe was “preparing to talk to the Football Association” while the Telegraph reported the 38-year-old was among the “leading candidates”.

Sam Allardyce leaving Sunderland’s pre-season training camp in Austria on Monday fuelled rumours he had returned for an interview but those suggestions have since been tempered by reports he had jetted back to take part in transfer negotiations.

But the report on Bruce appeared cut no ice with the bookmakers. Allardyce remains the red-hot favourite ahead of Jurgen Klinsmann and Howe. Bruce is fourth favourite with odds ranging from 11-1 to 20-1.