Craig Bellamy 'to replace Gary Neville' on Sky Sports Monday Night Football

The former Wales international is being tipped to step in alongside Jamie Carragher

(Sky Sports)

Craig Bellamy has emerged as a surprise contender to replace Gary Neville on Monday Night Football.

Sky Sports are seeking a new pundit following last week's news that Neville had accepted an offer to become the new manager of La Liga side Valencia.

Speculation over who will join Jamie Carragher on the popular programme has been intense. A poll conducted by The Independent suggested current Sky pundit Thierry Henry is the favoured choice, with the former Arsenal striker picking up 27 per cent of a vote which polled over 5000 readers. The second favourite was Paul Scholes whilst Bellamy was not listed as an option.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Bellamy is among the leading contenders. The former Wales international retired from playing in 2014 and has since been taking his coaching badges and working unpaid with Cardiff's academy players.

Craig Bellamy (GETTY IMAGES)

The 36-year-old can boast Premier League experience having played for Norwich, Coventry, Newcastle, Celtic, Blackburn, Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City and Cardiff during his career. In terms of trophies he collected the League Cup in 2012 while with Liverpool and the Community Shield in 2006 during his first spell at Anfield. He also won the Championship with Cardiff and Scottish Cup with Celtic.

Sky Sports have not revealed who will join Carragher for tonight's episode of Monday Night Football which will feature Everton vs Crystal Palace.