Andrew remains coy over who he wants to succeed Andy Robinson

"I'm pretty hopeful we can do that," said Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) elite rugby director.

"My thinking is pretty clear, and I am expecting to be able to make a recommendation to the management board next Wednesday.

"We have had conversations with people. I am not ruling anyone in or out," added the former England fly-half.

A number of big names have been tipped to replace Andy Robinson, with Dean Richards, Nick Mallett and Warren Gatland all in the frame.

Another possible solution would see attack coach Brian Ashton step up into the lead role.

But Andrew has revealed that two of England's three remaining coaches have refused to sign new contracts - although he would not say which ones.

Ashton, forwards coach John Wells and defence coach Mike Ford all joined the England-up in May this year with Wells and Ford signing one-year rolling deals.

"Two of the three have not signed their contracts," Andrew said.

I was disappointed to read what Sir Clive Woodward said but I have a high regard for him RFU chief executive Francis Baron

"There are a couple of outstanding issues. There have been a lot of contractual issues most of which we have worked through."

England will either turn to a coach to take them through to the 2007 World Cup, or look to make a long-term appointment.

Andrew would not be drawn on his favoured option, beyond saying: "We are working on a solution which will hopefully be seen as a full-time solution."

Meanwhile, Andrew and RFU chief executive Francis Baron have shrugged off criticism from England's 2003 World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward.

Woodward said any potential England coach might be put off by having Andrew looking over his shoulder all the time.

"I am here to do a job," said Andrew.

"Whatever people think, and it is a free world, they can say what they want to say. I appreciate that everyone has an opinion in the game."

Woodward also suggested Baron should stand down because of the "mess" the English game now found itself in.

Baron said: "I had five great years working in partnership with Clive, and I have great memories of that.

"I am not going to say anything that could be seen as tit for tat. Our working relationship was outstanding - Clive produced great results on the field, and I produced great results off it.