Exclusive – Howey tips Pardew to be contender for England job

Steve Howey believes Alan Pardew will be in the running to replace Fabio Capello as England manager if Newcastle’s fine form continues.

Pardew has guided the Magpies up to third in the Premier League, just a point behind Manchester United, and his side are still yet to taste defeat this season.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Howey reckons the 50-year-old is now set to join Harry Redknapp as a leading contender for the national job when Capello steps down next summer.

“The job that he is doing at the moment is absolutely fantastic,” the former Newcastle defender told Drive Time.

“The general football public might look at it and think: ‘Is Alan Pardew high profile enough to be England manager?’ But on current form, with what’s he’s producing for his team, you’ve got to say that he’s got to be up there.”