IN the most bizarre build up to a match, reports from two major sources today claim West Ham United are ready to sack Avram Grant and replace him with Martin O’Neill this weekend.

IN the most bizarre build up to a match, reports from two major sources today claim West Ham United are ready to sack Avram Grant and replace him with Martin O’Neill this weekend.

Sky Sports revelation was swiftly followed by BBC Sport claims that the decision will be announced after the Hammers vital match against Arsenal this evening.

But a senior source at the club has said that no decision will be announced tonight.

The manager’s position has been under scrutiny for weeks following West Ham’s poor start to the season. But he looked to have seen off the threat after just one defeat in the last seven games, albeit the poor 5-0 reverse at Newcastle.

Sky Sports News said that Grant will be sacked after the Arsenal game, no matter what the result is.

They said they had also been told that the Hammers have already met with former Aston Villa boss O’Neill, who quit the Midlands club on the eve of the new season.

The BBC said a meeting had took place between parties earlier this week.

West Ham United have made no official statement this morning but said they were preparing for match day as normal.

Their website carries the latest press conference from Avram Grant yesterday in which he said: “I am sure there is a very good future at West Ham. The club will do the right things.”

He told the press: “I know that you are worried about me, but I will be okay. The club is a respectable club and I want to keep it like this.”

A senior source at West Ham has claimed Grant will not be sacked as manager tonight.

“There has been a lot of talk and people trying to put two and two together, but nothing has been said at the club that he will be leaving,” the source said.

“It is just a normal day and everyone is concentrating on beating Arsenal.”

The uncertainty has shades of the bizarre way in which news of Martin Jol’s sacking by Spurs was revealed at half time during an evening European game a few years ago.

West Ham are currently bottom of the Premier League but are only two points off safety and are in the semi-final of the Carling Cup.