West Ham United are reportedly toying with the idea of luring their former manager Alan Pardew back to Upton Park in the event that they part company with Sam Allardyce.

Speculation is rife over Allardyce's long-term future in East London as the former Bolton Wanderers boss has failed to guide the capital outfit away from the Premier League relegation zone this season.

Newcastle United manager Pardew enjoyed a three-year spell with the Hammers from 2003 until 2006 and, according to The Mirror, the 52-year-old is a close friend of co-owner David Gold and is an ideal candidate to replace the under-fire Allardyce.

West Ham, who sit 18th in the Premier League table, went down 3-1 at home to Pardew's Magpies on Saturday.