Carlisle United have contacted West Ham United over the availability of Sam Allardyce's assistant Neil McDonald, according to Sky Sports News.
The 48-year-old is odds-on favourite to succeed Graham Kavanagh, who was sacked last week after a winless start to the League Two season.
McDonald was at Brunton Park on Saturday to watch Carlisle, who he formerly managed last decade, as they drew 4-4 with AFC Wimbledon.
When last with the Cumbrians, McDonald led the club to their highest league finish for 20 years before he was peculiarly sacked just one game into the 2007-08 season.
He has been assistant to Allardyce at both West Ham and Blackburn Rovers since December 2008.
