Alan Pardew 'to receive £5m if sacked'

Alan Pardew will reportedly receive around £5m in compensation if he loses his job as manager of Crystal Palace.

The 55-year-old is under increasing pressure after a sixth straight loss in the Premier League saw the Eagles drop to 17th in the table.

Speculation is rife that Pardew will be sacked by Palace should he fail to win their next game against Southampton at Selhurst Park on Saturday but, according to The Times, his dismissal will come at a heavy financial cost to the club.

Pardew signed a new four-year-deal with Palace over the summer and is said to "expect his contract to be paid in full should the club want to make a change".

After the home tie with the Saints, Palace face fellow strugglers Hull City before a tough run of fixtures that includes Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal leading into the January transfer window.

Speaking earlier this week, Pardew insisted that he is "strong enough" to handle the pressure of speculation over his future.