MIDDLESBROUGH assistant Steve Round has claimed it will be business as usual this morning with Steve McClaren continuing to take charge of training despite the Football Association meeting to discuss his future.

An FA board meeting is expected to rubber-stamp McClaren's appointment as England manager later this afternoon, with the Boro boss now the unanimous choice to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson after this summer's World Cup.

FA representatives are already understood to have discussed the issue of compensation - likely to be around £1.75m - with Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson and are expected to unveil McClaren as England's new manager before the Teessiders take on Sevilla in the final of the UEFA Cup next Wednesday.

But, while Round stood in for his manager at the post-match press conference that followed last night's 1-1 draw with Bolton, he insisted McClaren would be at the club's Hurworth training ground as usual this morning.

"As far as I'm aware, he will be in charge of training at Middlesbrough," said Round.

"He has said nothing to me and has a contract for another three years."

Nevertheless, when asked whether McClaren would still be at the Riverside at the start of next season, the Boro assistant replied, "Who knows? That's up to the FA."

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was slightly more forthcoming, claiming that his counterpart at the Riverside was now an odds-on favourite for the England post.

Allardyce, who was one of McClaren's leading rivals when the interview process began more than a month ago, has conceded that, along with Alan Curbishley and Martin O'Neill, he is now out of the running.

"I am sure that McClaren is favourite," said the Trotters chief. "You would expect the FA to make a decision over the next couple of days."

Last night's 1-1 draw was achieved despite Middlesbrough fielding yet another under-strength side, and Round was particularly pleased with the performance of third-choice goalkeeper Ross Turnbull on his Premiership debut.

"I'm delighted for Ross on his debut," he said.

"He made two excellent saves early on."

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