Wigan assistant manager Graeme Jones has emerged as the surprise favourite to replace Liverpool-bound Brendan Rodgers at Swansea after being granted permission to talk to the south Wales club.

Swansea and Liverpool yesterday agreed a compensation package for Rodgers and backroom staff members Colin Pascoe, Chris Davies and Glen Driscoll, with the Northern Irishman set to be officially unveiled at an Anfield press conference this morning.

And Jones, who worked with Roberto Martinez at the Liberty Stadium between 2007 and 2009 before following the Spaniard to Wigan, appears to be in pole position to succeed him after being granted permission to hold talks with the Swans.

The likes of Brighton boss Gus Poyet, Blackpool's Ian Holloway and Birmingham's Chris Hughton were all among the favourites for the Swansea job, but Jones emerged as the clear favourite following a flurry of bets that led bookmakers to suspend betting on the identity of the next Swansea boss.

Jones, 42, was previously approached by the Swans before they appointed Rodgers in 2010 in the wake of Paolo Sousa's departure.

The former striker, who has only previously worked as an assistant manager, was a popular figure during his previous spell in south Wales.

And he would fit the club's desire to appoint someone willing to continue the attractive passing style that has served Swansea well, having helped Martinez, who also held talks over the Liverpool job, implement that approach.

But should Jones succeed Rodgers he will have a tough act to follow after the 39-year-old guided Swansea to promotion at the first attempt and followed that up with an 11th-place Premier League finish.