CARDIFF, Wales (AP) Sheffield United says it has given manager Gary Speed permission to speak to Wales regarding the vacant coaching position with the national team.

The second-tier English club says a further announcement will be made on Tuesday, when the former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder is expected to be appointed as the replacement for John Toshack.

Brian Flynn has been in temporary charge of Wales since Toshack resigned in September after the country's disappointing start to its 2012 European Championship qualifying campaign.

Speed, who won 85 caps for Wales, was hired as manager of United three matches into this season following the firing of Kevin Blackwell. It is Speed's first managerial role since retiring as a player last season.