The BBC are on the lookout for a new host of Match of the Day after the Leicester City icon announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season, but they have already suffered a major setback

Lineker’s long-time Match of the Day colleague, Mark Lawrenson, speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, named Chapman as a ‘ready-made replacement’ for Lineker. ‘I still tune in regularly. It is still a very good programme, full stop,’ the ex-Liverpool and Republic of Ireland defender said before the BBC’s confirmed Lineker’s impending departure.

Mark Chapman has emerged as the favourite to succeed Gary Lineker at the helm of Match of the Day after it was announced the former England striker would be leaving his role at the end of the season