John Kerry will replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, an announcement of which is expected to be made in the next few days.

Although President Obama said that he wanted Clinton to remain in the position, Kerry is said to top his list of successors.

Sources tell ABC News that President Obama has decided that he will nominate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to be secretary of state.

For a variety of reasons including the finalization of the process, other pending Cabinet decisions, and — more immediately — the national reaction to the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the news will not be announced in the next few days.

Clinton is currently out sick with a concussion and a stomach virus. The illness came just as she was scheduled to testify about the September 11th attacks in Benghazi, Libya.