Horsham MP Francis Maude was today expected to land a Shadow Cabinet post under sweeping changes by new Tory leader Michael Howard.

The former Shadow Chancellor and Shadow Foreign Secretary quit the front bench after the election of Iain Duncan Smith two years ago.

But Mr Maude has signalled he is ready to make a return under Mr Howard, who snatched the leadership after Mr Duncan Smith lost a vote of confidence last month.

Mr Maude was one of the first Conservative MPs to publicly call for the vote after voicing doubts about the progress which had been made since 2001.

Jobs which could be offered to Mr Maude, a keen "moderniser," include Shadow Health Secretary or Shadow Home Secretary.

Dr Liam Fox was last night promoted from the health brief to joint party chairman with Lord Maurice Saatchi, replacing the sacked Theresa May.

The current Shadow Home Secretary, Oliver Letwin, is expected to be switched to Shadow Chancellor.

The appointment of Mr Maude, along senior figures such as former Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell, is a sign of Mr Howard's determination to reach out to the party's modernising wing.

Arundel and South Downs' Howard Flight, who was Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury under Mr Duncan Smith - working closely with Mr Howard - was today also due to discover his fate.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton will learn if he remains a shadow health minister, while Wealden MP Charles Hendry will discover if he has kept the post of shadow Children's Minister.

Central Office last night confirmed Mr Howard would name most of his team today.