GARETH SOUTHGATE said Monday he wanted to know within weeks whether he will be England’s next permanent manager.

    The former England center-back was given the job on a caretaker basis following the Football Association’s dramatic decision to dispense with Sam Allardyce, whose one-game reign was ended by controversial comments he made to undercover reporters.

    Southgate has been in charge for England’s past three games, including a 3-0 win over old rival Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley last Friday, a labored victory over Malta and a goalless draw away to Slovenia.

    His caretaker stint ends with yesterday’s friendly against Spain at Wembley and the 46-year-old, who has stepped up from the England Under-21 side, is clearly keen to stay on in the top job.

    After the Spain clash, England is not in action again until March and Southgate said: “It will be important for me to know what I’m doing after the middle of November. We’ve got a European Under-21 Championship to prepare for and the seniors have got their next round of qualifiers (in March).”(SD-Agencies)