West Brom will move fast to appoint a new head coach after sacking Alan Irvine.
The Baggies parted company with Irvine on Monday night after just half a season in charge, and said in a statement that they "expect to be able to name Irvine's successor by the weekend," when they face Gateshead in the FA Cup third round.
They have been heavily linked to Tony Pulis and Tim Sherwood, who are both available for a quick appointment.
Former Tottenham boss Sherwood was interviewed by Albion for the head coach's job before losing out to Irvine in June.
Pulis has been out of work since quitting Crystal Palace in August but has also been touted as a possible Newcastle contender, should Magpies boss Alan Pardew join the Eagles this week.
Assistant head coach Rob Kelly, along with Keith Downing, will be in charge of the Baggies for their New Year's Day trip to West Ham.
Kelly will also hold a restricted press conference, for broadcast rights holders, on Tuesday afternoon.
Irvine left after just six months in charge following four wins in 19 Premier League games.
Albion are 16th and a point above the bottom three after seven defeats from their last nine matches, including Sunday's 2-0 loss at Stoke.