ENGLAND'S most high profile sporting export to Australia since Harold Larwood and Tony Greig is expected to set sail for soccer's new world today.

Terry Venables held further talks yesterday with the chairman of the Australian FA, David Hill, and barring a last minute hitch will take up the £200,000 a year post as Australia's national coach with the aim of qualifying the team for the 1998 World Cup finals.

The salary is 30 per cent more than he received as England coach but requires him to spend only four months a year in Australia. The rest of the time Venables will check on the 100 or so Australian players performing overseas.

Portsmouth yesterday confirmed that Venables will also be staying as their director of football so his journey from Pompey to Pom gives him the best of both worlds.