SSSH .... .

Cabinet secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull, the nation's senior civil servant, is due to retire soon - probably after next year's general election. If he does, the Department of Health's Sir Nigel Crisp is widely believed to be one of two permanent secretaries in the running to replace him.

Who, then, will get Sir Nigel's job?

News reaches End Game of a field of three contenders. The rank outsider of the trio appears to be Mike Deegan, chief executive of Central Manchester and Manchester Children's Hospitals trust, whose impressive CV includes membership of the modernisation board and the esteemed role of project director of the NHS plan.

Next in the running is David Nicholson, chief executive of Birmingham and Black Country strategic health authority and formerly director of the DoH's Midlands region.

However, the smart money is on South Yorkshire SHA chief executive Mike Farrar. Having overseen a highly successful health economy in South Yorkshire and boasting the key role in negotiating the GP contract to his credit, Mr Farrar is seen as having all the attributes required for the job.