London  - The head of the British army has given the clearest indication yet that hundreds more troops could be sent to Afghanistan to support a US-led surge expected to be detailed Friday.

"Improving security in Afghanistan will be dictated by having more boots on the ground. I don't mind whether the boots will be American, British or Afghan," General Richard Dannatt told the Times in an interview.

The government has not committed itself to an increase in troop numbers from the present level of 8,300, saying that other European nations must do so first.

But Dannatt indicated that several hundred men and women could be deployed, taking levels to "somewhere in between" the current troop strength of 8,300 and 12,000, subject to political approval.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said sending additional troops to Afghanistan was one of several options being considered.

"No decision has been made and no time line has been given," he said. (dpa)