England should take a look at Chris Hughton as their next manager – according to a touchline rival.

Phil Brown, former boss of next opponents Preston North End, has suggested the Seagulls chief as a potential candidate for the top job if Gareth Southgate does not impress.

He believes Hughton, who is a former Republic of Ireland international but was born and raised in London, has impressed as “a tactician and a technician” in the club game.

Brown expects Crawley boy Southgate to remain in control of the national side if his remaining two games as stand-in go well.

But, if England continue to struggle, the FA net will be cast again.

Brown said: “Chris Hughton comes to mind for me because of the great job he has been doing in the English game.

“He’s a tactician and a technician and he has been at some big clubs both as a player and as a manager.

“He knows how to deal with the stature of the players but there are a lot of good managers out there.”

Brown is currently struggling near the foot of League One with Southend but his words highlight the impressive job being carried out by Hughton, whose side aim to keep pressure on promotion rivals when Preston visit on Saturday.

North End beat Aston Villa 2-0 just before the international break and, as a club, have conceded just a solitary own goal on their last four visits to Sussex.

But they will arrive at the Amex missing left-back Glenn Cunningham for the first time this season as he serves a one-match ban for five bookings.

Centre-back Bailey Wright has flown back from Melbourne, where he was on the bench for Australia against Japan on Tuesday morning, our time.

Preston, unbeaten in four games, are likely to field three centre-backs and use recalled Tommy Spurr at left wing-back in Cunningham’s absence.