West Ham line-up Glenn Hoddle to replace Gianfranco Zola - Exclusive

West Ham are ready to make a sensational move for Glenn Hoddle - as Gianfranco Zola's future is dramatically plunged into fresh doubt.

Hammers owners David Sullivan and David Gold have put the former England boss at the top of their wish list for the SoS call if they decide to dump Zola.

Hoddle is free and available and could be approached in the next few days to see if he will come into the Hammers hot seat as the new regime frets about whether Zola is up to the task of beating the drop.

The 52-year-old has been out of football management since an unsuccessful spell at Wolves, but his reputation as a coach is good - and Hammers are seriously considering him as the 'impact' appointment they may need.

Zola's job is hanging by a thread. He may be allowed to take charge of the make-or-break clash with Stoke City, a game he would need to win, but the Italian could even be gone beforehand as further crisis talks are planned today.

Hammers insiders reveal Zola could have been gone immediately if their first-choice successor - Mark Hughes - had been interested and up for the short-term appointment.

Hoddle is working as a TV pundit but could be interested in a return to management, depending on the financial package involved and the call could go in very quickly to sound him out.