ALAN Pardew has been linked with a shock return to West Ham.

Reports today claimed that the Saints boss would be a prime target for the Hammers should they fail to keep their place in the Premiership.

Doubts over the future of the London club’s current manager, Gianfranco Zola, increased following Monday’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool and his relationship with club owner David Sullivan has reportedly been strained for some time.

However, it is believed that FC Twente’s former England boss Steve McClaren would be Sullivan’s preferred choice.

Also in the running is former Hammers defender Slaven Bilic.