PRESTON'S Billy Davies is favourite to succeed Alan Curbishley as Charlton's manager.

The 41-year-old Scot met with Charlton plc chairman Richard Murray yesterday and admitted: "I had a very good meeting with Charlton. Now I have to make major decisions regarding my family and future."

Married with two young sons, Davies lives in the Ribble Valley overlooking Blackburn Rovers' training ground.

Described by former Scotland manager Craig Brown and former Preston boss Craig Brown as the "finest young coach to come out of Scotland in recent years", he has been at Deepdale for four years.

He came to the club from Motherwell and since arriving at Preston has twice guided the club to the Championship play-offs on limited resources. They finished fourth this season and fifth last year.

Charlton are expected to announce their new manager by the end of the week.