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{ Roy Hodgson, the former Liverpool manager, is wanted by West Bromwich Albion. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

West Bromwich Albion have installed Roy Hodgson as their No1 choice to take over from the sacked Roberto Di Matteo, although they would appear to have plenty of work to do before he could be persuaded to take the job as the manager.

The Midlands club, who have placed the coach Michael Appleton in caretaker charge ahead of the relegation crunch match against West Ham United at The Hawthorns on Saturday, are also keen to talk to Chris Hughton, as they prepare to take the decision upon which their Premier League survival could hinge.

Hodgson and Hughton are both out of work, having been sacked by Liverpool and Newcastle United respectively, and the former has the added advantage of 35 years of managerial experience. Although Hodgson endured a disastrous time at Liverpool his work at Fulham, where he initially helped them to stave off relegation before building them up to greater heights, he has been noted by the Albion board of directors.

The worry for Albion is whether Hodgson can be convinced that they represent his most attractive route back into the game. Moreover, the chairman, Jeremy Peace, is known for keeping a tight grip on the purse strings and Hodgson might prove too expensive for him.

Hughton would seem a more viable option and so might Appleton, who hopes to audition successfully for the post against West Ham. To his mind, it is his job to lose and he hopes to have not only the West Ham game but also the one against Wolverhampton Wanderers thereafter. He has held his first meetings with the backroom and sports science staffs to outline preparations for the visit of West Ham.

Appleton, a former Manchester United and West Bromwich midfielder, whose playing career was cut short by injury, has been coaching at The Hawthorns for five years and, crucially, he has the respect of the players. He is also well regarded by the club's hierarchy, who appreciate that he has turned down the opportunity to leave for other posts on no fewer than seven occasions.

Appleton can look to the Blackburn Rovers manager, Steve Kean, for inspiration. Kean, who had coached at Ewood Park, was promoted from within by the club's owners after the sacking of Sam Allardyce and after he spent a brief period as the caretaker manager.

Albion have dismissed suggestions that the dismissal of Di Matteo on Sunday morning was knee-jerk. The team's results had been poor over a period of time – they are on a run of 13 defeats in 18 matches – while questions had also been asked about the Italian's man-management style.

The club maintain that they have at open mind over the search for his successor, with nothing as yet set in stone. One option under consideration is the appointment of a fire-fighter on a short-term contract until the end of the season, with the brief to keep the team in the Premier League. One manager who can be discounted is Allardyce, who was never an option for Peace, while Steve McClaren, sacked by Wolfsburg, would not be interested in the vacancy.

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