Southgate to learn fate next week

The Premier League Board will make a decision on Gareth Southgate's future as Middlesbrough manager next Wednesday. The club have submitted their application for dispensation for the 36-year-old to remain in charge despite not having the Uefa Pro Licence.

Officials were due to consider that submission on Monday, but the meeting will now take place two days later. The Teessiders have been involved in discussions with the Premier League and the Football Association since Southgate was appointed on a five-year contract in June. He has been working under a three-month dispensation which is due to expire tomorrow.

However, Boro are hopeful that Southgate will gain permission to continue until the end of the season, by which time he hopes to have completed his B and A Licences and be enrolled on the Pro Licence course.

The Premier League last week amended its rules to allow a manager to be in charge of a Premier League club as long as he has embarked upon the course. Previously, coaches had to be fully qualified before they were allowed to take control of a Premiership club.

Meanwhile, the Football Association has confirmed that the Barrow defender James Cotterill has been suspended "from all football activity" while it conducts an inquiry into his actions during the FA Cup first-round tie with Bristol Rovers. Cotterill has been charged with violent conduct after an apparent punch to the face of the Rovers striker Sean Rigg, which was missed by the referee but was picked up by Match of the Day cameras. Rigg is to have two metal plates inserted into his fractured jaw and has confirmed he plans to press charges.

An FA statement said: "James Cotterill has been suspended from all football and football activity with immediate effect, pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. The Interim Suspension Order has been ordered due to the serious nature of the alleged misconduct." Cotterill has until 4 December to respond.

Elsewhere, Didier Deschamps has not ruled out coaching the national side one day but for the time being is happy to concentrate on trying to bring Juventus back to Serie A.

"Maybe, yes," the former World Cup-winning France captain said when asked whether he might coach France. "I'm only interested in the very high level. I'm not interested in being a coach just for the sake of it."