It remains to be seen just how long Slaven Bilic will get as West Bromwich boss amid reports that his future is under intense scrutiny whilst one name has emerged as a potential successor during the past week...

What's the word?

According to the Daily Mirror, the Baggies hierarchy will eye Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer as their next man if the Croatian is axed at the Hawthorns.

It's claimed that the relationship between Bilic and the Albion board has been rocky in recent months and that the Addicks' chief would be among their top choices to succeed him.

The 43-year-old, who used to play in midfield for Newcastle and Leeds United, has spoken about the speculation too, he said: "It’s nice to be recognised. It happened a few times last season and the season before. If you do well then people recognise you do well."

Baggies boost?

There is only one downside to Bowyer and that is his lack of experience managing in the Premier League, especially with a side battling relegation but you only have to look at Chris Wilder's Sheffield United side last season - or Nuno Santo at Wolves the last two years - to see that it is not the be-all and end-all.

He's worked under tough conditions before, though, having had the pleasure of dealing with controversial Charlton owner Ronald Duchatelet.

Bowyer guided Charlton to the Championship, via the play-offs in 2019, and were only relegated last term on the final day without their wantaway striker Lyle Taylor, who refused to play after the restart.

The Addicks are now at the top of the League One standings once more, sitting in third place, three points behind the league leaders with a game in hand too.

What is most interesting about his potential candidacy is the fact that he's worked with both Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher and summer arrival Karlan Grant before.

Bowyer once claimed that the £15m signing "causes problems and scores goals," and you'd have to believe him considering the 23-year-old bagged 14 goals in just 29 appearances under him at The Valley.

Whilst Gallagher was lauded as an impossible-to-replace "jewel" who also has "unreal" work rate.

Sacking Bilic would be a mistake in itself, as outlined here, but if that were to happen, then the Baggies must consider Bowyer a genuine and serious candidate for the short-term.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Chris Kirkland tips Lai to make an imminent call...