TERRY VENABLES is expected to meet Australian soccer officials this week to discuss his possible appointment as Australia national team coach, The Sydney Morning Herald reported early this morning.

Soccer Australia chairman David Hill has flown to London to speak to potential candidates from Europe, with Venables heading the list, which also includes Jack Charlton.

"Negotiations are expected to be held with Venables over the next two days," the Herald reported. "It is believed Hill and Venables have already discussed the matter by telephone.

When asked if he had been approached about the job, Venables refused to comment yesterday. "I am just not discussing it. So many things have happened in the last few months and I don't want to discuss anybody else's business."

Australia are searching for a national coach to guide their 1998 World Cup campaign after Eddie Thomson resigned last month to take up a job with Hiroshima in the Japanese J-League.