Roy Hodgson has arrived at Watford's training ground this morning ahead of his announcement as new head coach.

The former Crystal Palace manager is set to take over from Claudio Ranieri after the Italian was sacked yesterday.

It had been expected that Hodgson would retire after leaving Palace at the end of last season, before turning 74 in August, but he has been tempted with a return to Premier League football just over half a year later.

Final details of his short-term deal, understood to be until the end of the current season, are being ironed out this morning, it is thought to be a case of simply dotting the Is and crossing the Ts rather than anything major.

Hodgson has worked with the Pozzo family before in his long and illustrious managerial career, albeit somewhat briefly.

Between May and December 2001 he was in charge of Udinese for 17 matches, winning seven, losing five and drawing five.

He is set for a reunion at Vicarage Road and will be in the dugout for the crucial trip to Burnley in 11 days' time.

It is expected that his appointment will be announced formally either later today, or early tomorrow.