The defence secretary is to hold talks with Donald Rumsfeld on September 11.

Geoff Hoon will be discussing "matters of mutual interest" with the US defence secretary widely regarded as a leading Pentagon hawk pushing for military action against Iraq.

Hoon's six day trip to the US will also include a speech to Louisville university, reveals the Observer.

He is set to use the anniversary of last terror attacks on America to declare support for the US and tough action against Saddam Hussein.

The armed forces chief and Ministry of Defence officials will be given detailed briefings on the military options available to engineers a "regime change" in Baghdad.

And the newspaper believes US military planners will outline what role UK troops will play in a military campaign.

Though both Britain and America insists the final decision for military strikes against Iraq has not been taken, Hoon's trip is seen as an indication that plans are advanced.

A signal Labour's dissenters and anti-war critics have seized upon ahead of a bumpy conference season for Tony Blair.

Hoon is also said to be anxious that UK military chiefs are kept onside and informed of the latest thinking in the Pentagon.