DAN KEEN ON BRIGHT FUTURE

THE FA are battling to hold on to technical director Dan Ashworth who is interested in a similar role at Brighton.

He is understood to be in line for a new deal after England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia and the success of the country’s junior teams – with the FA wanting him to snub a return to club football.

Ashworth (left) joined the FA as director of elite development in 2012 before being promoted to technical director three years later. And under his watch England’s Under-17s and U20s were successful at their respective World Cups. The U19s became European champions and the U18s won the Toulon Tournament.