FA chief executive Martin Glenn insists interim boss Gareth Southgate is a credible candidate to be named England manager on a permanent basis even if he loses his next two matches in charge.

The former Middlesbrough boss was appointed Three Lions coach on a temporary basis last month following the departure of Sam Allardyce, and he took four points from his opening two matches at the helm.

Southgate will definitely remain in charge for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Wembley on November 11, as well as the friendly international with Spain at the same venue four days later, and Glenn admits the interim boss could be named permanent manager even if he loses both those matches.

The chief executive told Sky Sports: “He’s got the team for four games, up until the Spain game in mid-November. After that we don’t have a game until March [against Germany], so we’ve got a bit of time to think.

“Gareth is a credible candidate, he knows the international set up, done great work with the U21s and wants to translate that across to the senior team.

“Even if he doesn’t have a great next couple of games, he’ll still be a good candidate. You don’t judge a manager on one or two games.”

England are currently top of their World Cup qualifying group, as they bid to move on from their disappointing showing at Euro 2016 during the summer.

The Three Lions have failed to win a knockout match at a major international tournament since beating Ecuador at the 2006 World Cup, but they are available at 19.00 to buck that trend and secure overall glory in Russia in two years’ time.