London, Apr. 10 : Former Zimbabwean cricketer and now assistant coach of the England cricket team appears set for taking up the role in a more permanent capacity.

Having just returned home from a tough 11 weeks in the Caribbean, Flower was preparing for the challenge ahead as he and national selector Geoff Miller watched a Durham Vs MCC match from one of the deserted broadcasting boxes in the Lord's media centre yesterday.

Flower, who stepped into the breach in the Caribbean after Peter Moores was sacked, is the hot tip for the permanent role as England's head coach. He is due to be interviewed over the coming few days by an ECB panel with an announcement due by the end of next week.

With Graham Ford, Tom Moody, Gary Kirsten and Mickey Arthur apparently ruling themselves out, the short-list is exactly that and Flower impressed in his caretaker role working with new captain Andrew Strauss in the Caribbean despite the poor results.

Miller appears to have endorsed Flower, saying that his equation with captain Andrew Strauss and himself is good.

"I would like the appointment of director of cricket (head coach) to be made as soon as possible, so I can get on making decisions to plan for this summer. Whoever it is may or may not want to be a selector. I can work with it either way, but it makes the situation difficult until this appointment is made," The Times quoted Miller, as saying.

Miller said his meeting with Flower was more of a de-briefing after the West Indies tour, rather than the pair of them mapping out the summer's battle plans. (ANI)