Roy Hodgson eyed for West Brom manager role as potential return considered

Roy Hodgson could be back in football - at West Brom.

The former Crystal Palace chief is on the short-list of those to replace Sam Allardyce as the hunt for a new Hawthorns supremo continues.

Ex-Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is still the favourite to take the position with Barnsley's Valerian Ismael also high up on the list.

But the Baggies' decision-makers are considering a shock move for the former England boss who masterminded the club's highest-ever Premier League finish of ninth a decade ago.

Hodgson is believed to be open to the idea of returning to frontline football - and he would be allowed to take long-time Palace assistant Ray Lewington to the Black Country with him.

He is likely to fit in with West Brom's pay structure too - and the fact there will be no compensation to pay for his services also weighs in his favour.

They Tykes have a £1.5m compensation bill for Ismael and that fact counts against him.

West Brom have held talks with Wilder and he has been long been considered the club's number one choice.

But it appears that the Baggies do not want to restrict their choice to just one man and want to examine every candidate before making their final choice.

Frank Lampard too remains under consideration but while he ticks a number of boxes, there are reservations about his credentials, having only managed at Derby and Chelsea for such a relatively short period of time.

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There are no such questions for Hodgson to answer after the sterling job he has performed in south London and his appointment would command immediate respect as the club plotted its route back to the Premier League.

Hodgson did not rule out taking another job as he left Palace despite his age, and could well be back in management even sooner than expected.