While West Bromwich Albion plough through the final throes of appointing their next head coach, you’d be forgiven for forgetting there is a small matter of the European Championships starting on Friday.

Albion have four representatives at the tournament – if you count out-of-contract midfielder Keith Andrews.

Three of those will be playing in the green of the Republic of Ireland.

Jonas Olsson, meanwhile, will be turning out for Sweden in the same group as England, France and hosts Ukraine.

The Baggies centre-half will be aiming to ruin Hodgson’s first competitive games as England boss.

And Olsson does not fear England, despite Sweden’s underdog status in Group D.

“If you look at it objectively most people will see France and England as favourites but I have no problem with that,” said Olsson.

“Sometimes it’s easier being the underdog and I also think the Euros are made up of 16 very good teams.

“I don’t see favourites and I can’t really see a team that will crumble so the group is going to be very tight and so is the Championship as a whole. Maybe France and England are the favourites and Ukraine are the hosts, and then you have us.

“But we’re a good side, we fancy our chances and we won’t be happy if we don’t go through the group stages.

“We are going there to get as far as possible and if England and France are favourite, so be it.