Derby County are reportedly keen on hiring Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett as a replacement for the suspended Nigel Pearson.
Former Leicester City boss Pearson, 53, took over at the iPro this summer but was suspended by the club on Tuesday following an alleged row with owner Mel Morris.
The Rams had been one of the pre-season promotion favourites in the Championship but had won just one of their opening nine games prior to Pearson's suspension.
Assistant manager Chris Powell guided them to a 2-0 win at Cardiff City on Tuesday night and will take charge again at Reading on Saturday, but according to The Sun, Morris has put former Derby player Rowett "at the top of his shortlist" to replace Pearson.
Rowett has earned plaudits for his work with Birmingham since he took the reins in October 2014, turning the side from relegation candidates to playoff contenders.
Other names in the frame to replace Pearson include Steve Bruce, Neil Warnock and former boss Steve McClaren.
