Watch free live football streams, live TV

Phil Gartside has become the first FA board member to publicly back Harry Redknapp for the England job.

Bolton chairman Gartside, who also sits on the 14-member FA board, has described the Tottenham boss as having the potential to be an "outstanding England manager".

Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite to take over the role that has remained vacant since Fabio Capello handed in his resignation on February 8.

Despite Redknapp's seemingly universal approval the FA have remained tight-lipped about who will lead England into this summer's European Championship, saying only that a decision would be made towards the end of the season.

In an interview to be aired on the BBC World Extra Time this weekend, Gartside also labelled Redknapp a "good motivator with a winning mentality".

Gartside is not, however, part of the four-man Club England board tasked with appointing the new manager, although as part of the FA board he will be asked to ratify any decision.

The four men charged with replacing Capello are director of football development Trevor Brooking, general secretary Alex Horne, Club England managing director Adrian Bevington and FA chairman David Bernstein.

(reopens) Tottenham today attempted to deny Redknapp the chance to respond to Gartside's comments.

Questions about the England manager's position were banned - as they have been since shortly after Capello's resignation - at Tottenham's regular pre-match press conference.

After several attempts at being rebuffed, one reporter managed to get a question in about the Bolton chairman's comments at this morning's press conference to preview tomorrow's Barclays Premier League game at QPR.

Redknapp was apparently unaware that he had been touted for the job by Gartside, however, saying: "I haven't seen anything. I haven't read any papers today."