SHADOW chancellor George Osborne yesterday welcomed the prospect that William Hague could return to the Tory frontbenches if David Cameron is elected as the party's leader.

The result is due tomorrow, with Mr Cameron the overwhelming favourite to win, ahead of David Davis.

Mr Cameron has been reluctant to talk publicly about who would be in his shadow cabinet.

However, Richmond MP Mr Hague is widely tipped for the post of shadow foreign secretary.

Mr Osborne, who is Mr Cameron's campaign manager, said he would be glad to see the former leader back on the frontbenches, but declined to be drawn on what post he might get.

"William Hague would do any job extremely well," he told BBC1's Sunday AM programme.

"If he chooses to return to the shadow cabinet -that's his decision and David Cameron's decision -then he should do the job he feels best able to do."

Mr Osborne is expected to keep his job as shadow chancellor if Mr Cameron wins, while Liam Fox is tipped for a move from foreign affairs to shadow home secretary.

That would leave Mr Davis - the current shadow home secretary -facing a demotion if he was to carry on in the shadow cabinet.

There are reports he will be offered the post of shadow defence secretary, although it is unclear if he would accept such a move.