London, May 7 (IANS) With the Labour party prepared for electoral losses, Foreign Secretary David Miliband was closely looking at the voters' verdict as he may challenge Gordon Brown, a media report said Friday.

The Sun reported that Thursday night saw Miliband preparing to strike as a disaster was predicted for Labour at the general elections.

He is a favourite to succeed Brown and has received support from former prime minister Tony Blair and and Business Secretary Peter Mandelson.

Miliband won from the South Shields constituency with 52 percent of the votes. Conservative candidate Karen Allen stood second while Liberal Democrat Stephen Psallidas was third.

Miliband's allies are keen that MP Jon Cruddas becomes Miliband's deputy in what they call a "dream ticket" for the leadership.

The media report said that he was urged to have a proper contest for the leadership, instead of an unelected take over like Brown when he succeeded Blair.