Martin O’Neill was today poised for a dramatic return to football as manager of West Ham.

The struggling Hammers are set to sack beleaguered boss Avram Grant regardless of their result against Arsenal at Upton Park this evening, according to strong reports.

And owners David Sullivan and David Gold are said to have lined up former Villa boss O’Neill to take the reins five months after his sensational walk-out from Villa Park.

The 58-year-old Northern Irishman will be charged with the task of saving the East End club from relegation after a troubled season in which Grant has found his position under constant scrutiny.

Sources say potential transfer targets have been told not to join other clubs because of O’Neill’s impending arrival.

Grant, aged 55, looked to have earned a stay of execution after overseeing a 2-1 victory over Birmingham in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final and surviving a board meeting the following day.

Grant, who finished bottom with Portsmouth last season, had insisted he could rescue West Ham, saying: “If I thought we’d be in the bottom three at the end of the season I wouldn’t be here.”

But former Birmingham co-owners Sullivan and Gold now look to have had a change of heart and are poised to bring an end to the Israeli’s reign after just seven months.

The move will lead to a hefty payout for the former Chelsea boss, who signed a four-year contract when he was chosen to replace Gianfranco Zola in the summer.

If the news is confirmed, O’Neill will take over a club that began today at the bottom of the Premier League with just 20 points from 22 matches and a minus 16 goal difference that is the worst in the division.

Their progress to the last four of the Carling Cup has provided a welcome distraction for Hammers fans but the owners are desperate to avoid a drop out of the top division that could lead to major financial problems.

O’Neill has been out of football since his shock decision to quit Villa less than a week before the start of the season.

He had been in charge for four years and led the club to sixth-place finishes in the last three seasons.

By Steve Madeley