Pulis to be named WBA boss

London - Tony Pulis is to be appointed as the new head coach of Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion, according to widespread reports in the British media on Wednesday.

West Brom on Monday sacked Alan Irvine after a run of seven defeats in nine matches that left the club in 16th place in the Premier League table, just a point above the relegation zone.

Pulis and former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood were reported to be in contention for the role, but media outlets including the BBC, Sky and the Press Association have claimed that the Welshman will get the nod.

Reports suggest the 56-year-old former Stoke City and Crystal Palace manager will sign a two-and-a-half-year contract at The Hawthorns.

Pulis was named the Premier League's Manager of the Year for steering Palace away from relegation last season, but he left the club on the eve of the current campaign after falling out with chairman Steve Parish.

West Brom's assistant head coach Rob Kelly will take charge of the team for their New Year's Day game at West Ham United, which Pulis is expected to watch from the stands.

Irvine, 56, was the second Premier League manager to be sacked this season following Neil Warnock's dismissal by Palace on Saturday.