THE odds on Martin O’Neill becoming the next permanent manager of Newcastle United were slashed yesterday by bookmakers, a move that coincided with Freddy Shepherd’s return from a holiday in Barbados. There is no hint of agitation at St James’ Park, but the chairman is now ready to step up his search for a full-time replacement for Graeme Souness and O’Neill remains his first choice.

It is understood that informal contact has been made between the parties and while reports have suggested that O’Neill has rejected Shepherd’s advances, nothing has either been agreed or turned down. The Ulsterman, who left Celtic last summer, is enthusiastic about the prospect of returning to football, but his priority is the wellbeing of Geraldine, his wife.

Another complication is the England job, which becomes vacant after the World Cup finals. O’Neill is the preferred candidate of Brian Barwick, the FA’s chief executive, to succeed Sven-Göran Eriksson and Shepherd is aware that he faces stern competition for his signature. He also knows that O’Neill is thinking positively about the challenge of working on Tyneside.

Until either, or both, positions are offered formally, O’Neill regards the situation as hypothetical and his primary concern lies with his family. There have been some encouraging developments regarding Geraldine’s health, but these are not definitive and Shepherd has been content to allow Glenn Roeder, his caretaker manager, to stabilise Newcastle’s league position.

O’Neill has always been the favourite, both of supporters and punters, to follow Souness, and there was a flurry of betting in his favour yesterday. While odds have previously tumbled for such marginal figures as Glenn Hoddle and Roberto Mancini, William Hill last night cut O’Neill to 1-3 to assume the role, while Ladbrokes trimmed him to 2-5. The movement may be significant.

Shepherd’s presence in Barbados, for a charity golf tournament organised by Dave Whelan, the Wigan Athletic chairman, sparked rumours that he wants Paul Jewell, the Wigan manager. Jewell’s record is admired — as is Sam Allardyce’s on minimal resources at Bolton Wanderers — but Shepherd has pointed out that his trip abroad was a “longstanding arrangement”.

In the meantime, Roeder, who is being assisted by Alan Shearer, has impressed Shepherd with his workrate, commitment and no-nonsense approach. The former Newcastle defender and West Ham United manager plans to resume his post with the club’s youth academy, but he has excelled in leading the first team in four unbeaten matches and lifted the mood.

Roeder has rejected a request by Craig Moore, Newcastle’s forgotten defender, to participate in a training camp organised by Australia next week, describing the prospect as “scandalous”. Moore, who has been plagued by hamstring trouble, has not played a senior match for the club since joining on a free transfer last summer, since when he has earned in the region of £600,000.

Fans have grown increasingly irritated by the 30-year-old’s continuing absence, particularly at a time when Newcastle’s first-team squad is riven by injuries. For this evening’s match at home to Everton, Roeder has only one natural centre half and four fit defenders to call upon. Stephen Carr, Steven Taylor, Titus Bramble and Moore are all unavailable.

Australia, coached by Guus Hiddink, are assembling in the Netherlands for four days of training and, with the beginning of the World Cup finals only 15 weeks away, Moore, the captain, was eager to take part.

Instead, after a number of discussions with Roeder, he will play in a reserve-team fixture away to Blackburn Rovers on Monday. “Craig hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since coming to the club,” Roeder said.

THE ODDS

To be next Newcastle manager:
Ladbrokes: 2-5 M O’Neill, 5-1 R Mancini, 6-1 S Allardyce, 7-1 S Pearce, 8-1 M Hughes, 10-1 C Ranieri, 12-1 others.

Totesport: 8-13 M O’Neill, 5-1 S Allardyce, P Jewell, R Mancini, 6-1 M Newell, C Coleman, 9-1 C Ranieri, 10-1 M Hughes, Bryan Robson, 12-1 others.

William Hill: 1-3 M O’Neill, 5-1 S Allardyce, R Mancini, 7-1 P Jewell, 12-1 M Hughes, Bryan Robson, 14-1 others.