Lee eyes West Ham replacement

West Ham United club director Mike Lee has admitted that Roberto Donadoni and Gianfranco Zola are both high on his list for replacements for Alan Curbishley, and the club are hoping to have the vacant role filled by the next game.

Lee said: "We have a very strong shortlist and it's going to be a tough decision with some exciting candidates.

"From the meetings that have taken place so far the two that have really shone have been Donadoni and Zola. We have been surprised and pleased by the number of applications we have had and we are moving towards a short shortlist and (will) ideally have a manager in place in time for the West Brom match next week.

"Slaven Bilic could potentially be on that shortlist but it depends very much upon his availability. If, for whatever reason, he was not available until January in terms of working with us, I'm afraid that will rule him out."