Axe poised to fall on Roeder as Adams waits

Micky Adams, the Leicester City manager, is the favourite to replace Glenn Roeder if the West Ham United manager fails to convince his board to back him after a poor start to the season.

Roeder is due to meet leading West Ham officials to discuss the club's crisis position at the foot of the Premiership and there is a growing move to replace him as manager.

No home victories have left Roeder's position in peril.The impending opening of the transfer window on 1 January has increased the need for quick action and is tipping the scales in favour of him being sacked, possibly even this morning.

The wheeler-dealer Adams, who has taken Leicester to a promotion berth in the First Division despite their crippling financial problems, would be first choice rather than a bigger name like David O'Leary or George Graham. Leicester blocked Adams joining Ipswich Town two months ago but that was before they went into administration. Adams may be more prepared to leave now and the club willing to agree a pay-off.

West Ham have some big issues to resolve, such as the future of their captain, Paolo Di Canio, and the need to sign some new defenders, with Roeder already drawing up a list. He is interested in Sunderland's giant Emerson Thome and even their captain Michael Gray.

Supporters may not be too thrilled by the idea of the hard-working Yorkshireman Adams taking control of their side, but these days pragmatism rules over the past desire for style.

Jerzy Dudek has paid for his poor recent form with the Liverpool manager, Gérard Houllier, revealed that Chris Kirkland will be given "a run of games".

The Polish international had been expected to make way for the England Under-21 player for tonight's Worthington Cup fourth-round tie against Ipswich at Anfield, but now Houllier has confirmed that the former Coventry City goalkeeper will be given the chance to stake his claim for a first-team shirt on a long-term basis in the wake of Dudek's costly mistake against Manchester United on Sunday, which allowed Diego Forlan to score the opening goal in his side's 2-1 win at Anfield.

Houllier's announcement is timed perfectly for Kirkland, who has been named by the England assistant head coach, Tord Grip, as "the most talented goalkeeper in England" but has been undermined by his lack of first-team experience.

"Chris deserves a run of games and he will have that now," Houllier said. "I spoke to both goalkeepers and told them Chris would get his run, and he will get the same backing I have given to Jerzy."