Daily Mail: Sky Sports 'identify top candidate to replace Kelly Cates'

Story from Daily Mail:

Sky Sports have reportedly identified their preferred name to replace Kelly Cates as she prepares to leave the broadcasting giant.

Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Sunday that Cates is set to leave Sky at the end of the season to become one of three hosts on Match of the Day.

With Gary Lineker stepping down next year, Cates has agreed to take over and will share hosting duties with Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.

Sky are understood to be gutted by Cates' imminent departure, but have moved quickly to find her successor.

According to The Sun, Sky want Rebecca Lowe to take on the role when Cates leaves.

Lowe, 44, is a former BBC journalist who is already working with Sky pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

Lowe proved she was not afraid to voice her own opinion on the podcast when she branded Vinicius Jr 'unbelievably classless' for refusing to attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony in October after discovering he had not won the coveted award.

She also currently presents for US TV channel NBC.

Sky are hopeful they will be able to entice Lowe back to the UK to front their coverage.

Should Lowe land the presenting role, she would have significant shoes to fill, with Cates very highly regarded by TV bosses.

In addition to her work with Sky, the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish also regularly presents on Radio 5 Live and used to host 606.

Her smooth presenting delivery has got her the nod to host the BBC's flagship show Match of the Day.

Just hours after news of her switch to the BBC was revealed, Cates fronted Sky's coverage of the Manchester derby on Sunday, with Ruben Amorim's United running out 2-1 winners after a late turnaround.