FORMER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND assistant manager Chris Hughton has emerged as the favourite to fill the current managerial vacancy at Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion.

Albion dismissed boss Roberto di Matteo at the weekend following a disappointing run of results which has seen them pick up just four points in nine league games since mid-December.

The Baggies currently lie in 17th position on 26 points, just two points clear of the bottom of the table.

Hughton, 52, has been out of work since December last year when he was controversially sacked by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. Coincidentally, his last game in charge as Newcastle boss was against his current suitors, di Matteo’s West Brom running out 3-1 winners when the sides met at the Hawthorns.

There were suggestions yesterday that former Liverpool and Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was the preferred choice of the West Brom hierarchy. However, there is now increasing speculation that Hughton will in fact be unveiled later today, with bookmakers cutting odds on his appointment to as low as 1/5 at present.

A former Irish international, Hughton was Brian Kerr’s assistant during his time in charge of the Irish team from 2003-2005. He also served as assistant manager of Tottenham Hotspur under a number of different managers from 1998-2008.