Brown eyes 2012 British football team

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Britain has not entered a side in the Olympics since 1960, partly because of fears it could jeopardise the future of the individual England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Irish national sides.

But speaking from Beijing, Mr Brown, a keen football fan, said he would be "surprised" if a team from the UK did not compete on home soil in 2012.

He told Sky News: "I hope there will be a team by 2012. It will be Team UK. I hope we can get an agreement on that.

"I think when people are looking at the Olympics in 2012 - Britain, home of football, where football was invented, which we gave to the world - I think people would be very surprised if there is an Olympic tournament in football and we are not part of it."

Mr Brown said he had talked with Sepp Blatter, president of world football's governing body FIFA, to discuss the situation.

"I am determined to work with the football associations and the (International) Olympic Committee to ensure that when we come to 2012 we have a men's football team and we have a women's football team playing," Mr Brown said.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he would relish the chance to manage a Great Britain football team at the Games.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been the name touted for the role but while he has distanced himself from the idea, Londoner Redknapp has taken the opposite stance.

"I'm absolutely flattered that my name is being mentioned about managing the Great Britain team," he told the Sunday Mirror. "Would I take it if they offered it to me? Absolutely, I would be a fool not to. I've had some great managerial jobs during my career but there is no doubt this would be the icing on the cake."