Speculation continues to mount over the future of Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce.
Newcastle are hovering just one place and two points above the Premier League relegation zone after winning only two of their past 20 matches.
Bruce 's side went into the international break on the back of a 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion.
With nine games of the season remaining, the Magpies face a huge battle to stay in the top flight.
ChronicleLive understands that club owner Mike Ashley currently has no plans to change the manager, despite increasing pressure from the fans.
However, it has been reported that Newcastle are looking at Chris Wilder as a potential replacement for Bruce following his recent departure from Sheffield United.
Bruce is the bookies' favourite to be the next Premier League boss to leave their post.
Assistant head coach Graeme Jones, who joined Newcastle in January, is the front runner to be the club's next permanent manager after his odds shortened drastically in the last few days.
He was 5/1 last week but Jones is now 11/10 favourite for the job with Sky Bet, though it should be noted that caretaker and interim managers completing at least 10 competitive games will be deemed the permanent boss.
Wilder is next on the list at 9/2, with Rafa Benitez 5/1 to make a return to St James' Park.
Former Bournemouth chief Eddie Howe is just behind at 6/1, along with Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.
Frank Lampard, sacked by Chelsea earlier this season, is 8/1 to land the role, while ex-Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi is a 20/1 shot.
NEXT PERMANENT NEWCASTLE MANAGER
Graeme Jones 11/10
Chris Wilder 9/2
Rafael Benitez 5/1
Eddie Howe 6/1
Roberto Martinez 6/1
Frank Lampard 8/1
Shola Ameobi 20/1
Mark Hughes 22/1
Alex Neil 25/1
Neil Lennon 25/1
Steve Cooper 25/1
Steven Gerrard 25/1
Alan Shearer 33/1
Claudio Ranieri 33/1
Laurent Blanc 33/1
Michael Carrick 33/1
Sean Dyche 33/1
Thomas Frank 33/1
Alan Pardew 40/1
Andre Villas-Boas 40/1
Joey Barton 40/1
Luciano Spalletti 40/1
Lucien Favre 40/1
Marco Silva 40/1
Patrick Vieira 40/1
Roy Keane 40/1
Unai Emery 40/1
Nigel Pearson 50/1
Sam Allardyce 50/1
Xabi Alonso 50/1
Arsene Wenger 66/1
Source: Sky Bet (odds subject to change)
