Stuart Pearce has impressed during his time at Eastlands

Pearce's comments mark something of a U-turn after he previously said speculation linking him with the post was "pathetic" and "embarrassing".

Now Pearce, whose team play Charlton on Sunday, says: "It would be absolute folly to rule myself out of any job.

"And disrespectful not to talk to those who were offering me employment."

Eriksson is to stand down as England boss after the World Cup finals in Germany this summer.

Martin O'Neill, who is also being linked with the vacant post at Newcastle, is thought to be the leading candidate but Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley and Guus Hiddink are also being strongly linked.

It is possible to take on the England duties as well for the first 12 months PSV coach Guus Hiddink

Pearce has impressed during his brief spell in charge at Eastlands and his international experience as a player could go in his favour, but he admits he is not the best-qualified manager for the job.

"I'm a realist and the realism is that there are a lot of people better qualified than me," he added.

"I would have to have my chairman and the board's consent, but if I was invited I would go down there and be very open-minded about what they had to say."

Tottenham boss Martin Jol, however, believes fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink could be the right man for the job.

Jol said: "In terms of his CV there has not been a coach quite so successful as him.

"He has so much experience having led Holland and South Korea to the semi-finals of the World Cup. He's a great coach, has won the European Cup and he's a great candidate."

But Hiddink, the PSV Eindhoven and Australia coach, may have damaged his chances by saying he would only take the job if he could go part-time for the first 12 months.

He is contracted to PSV until the summer of 2007.

"I will not break my contract with PSV but it is possible to take on the England duties as well for the first 12 months," he told the News of the World.

"It is something I have been able to do with the Australian national team.

"London is only one hour from where I live in Eindhoven so the distance will not be a problem.