Michael Appleton, Dean Smith tipped as frontrunners for West Bromwich Albion job

Leicester City assistant manager Michael Appleton and Brentford boss Dean Smith are said to have emerged as the leading candidates to replace the ousted Alan Pardew at West Bromwich Albion.

According to The Times, the Baggies will wait until the end of the season to appoint a new head coach, but have already drawn up a shortlist of names.

Former West Brom players Derek McInnes, Craig Shakespeare and Graham Potter have also been linked with the managerial vacancy at The Hawthorns.

West Brom are on the brink of relegation from the Premier League following a run of 10 games without a win, leaving them seven points adrift at the foot of the table.

Darren Moore, who was part of Pardew's backroom team, has been placed in charge of the Baggies first team until the end of the season.