Jeremy Corbyn says two Greater Manchester MPs tipped to take his job could ‘absolutely’ become leaders of the Labour Party.

Mr Corbyn , on a visit to the region, said rising stars Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner and Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and Eccles, could lead Labour.

He said the pair were ‘absolutely brilliant’, adding that they both had a bright future in the party.

His comments come amid growing speculation about the future leadership of the party.

(Image: Sean Hansford)

Ms Rayner, who was made shadow education secretary last summer, and Ms Long Bailey, who was moved today from her position as shadow chief secretary of the treasury to become shadow business secretary, have both been tipped as potential successors despite only having become MPs since 2015.

He spoke to the M.E.N. as Ms Rayner - who did not rule out running for the leadership - watched on during a visit to an affordable housing project in her constituency.

Earlier in the day, he batted away speculation about his future as Labour leader, insisting there ‘is no news’ about his position.

(Image: Sean Hansford)

Asked whether Ms Rayner or Ms Long-Bailey could take the top job, he said: “They’re absolutely brilliant.

“I came on the train last night from London with Becky. She’s a great friend, she’s an absolutely brilliant person. She’s done a superb job in the treasury.

“Angela came in to do education and I think she’s made such a mark and such a difference.

“After all, she chased the government down on forced academisation. There’s more victories to come. Angela is brilliant.”

Pressed on whether he saw either MP being leading the party, Mr Corbyn said: “Absolutely, absolutely.”

Ms Rayner has impressed observers since landing the shadow education job with strong performances in the Commons and on TV.

(Image: Sean Hansford)

The former trade union worker has caught the eye of Labour chiefs and commentators alike, having forged a political career despite leaving school at 16 and becoming a teenage mother.

She did not rule out becoming Labour leader, telling the M.E.N: “Since becoming elected as an MP here, I’m about making sure, that whatever guise, wherever I go in the Labour party, we get the investment in Ashton-under-Lyne.

“Whether that’s as the shadow education secretary or as a leader of the party in the future, who knows.

“I don’t speculate about that.”

Rebecca Long Bailey, who took over Hazel Blears’ seat at the last election, has also been touted as a successor to Mr Corbyn.

(Image: Sean Hansford)

Last summer she was promoted to shadow chief secretary to the treasury in the wake of the party’s mass frontbench walk-out and today she was made shadow business secretary in the party’s latest reshuffle.

She has been described by shadow chancellor John McDonnell as ‘the next generation of [the party’s] socialist leadership team’.

It is thought allies of Mr McDonnell are lining her up to mount a leadership bid if Mr Corbyn quits.

Multiple sources within the parliamentary party said a number of figures - on both the left and the right - are now on ‘manoeuvres’ in the expectation that he will go before the general election.

Many expect the next leader to be a woman, only fuelling speculation that Angela Rayner or Rebecca Long Bailey, both towards the left of the party, could be the leadership’s choice for successor.