Southampton could be set to swoop for Scunthorpe United boss Nigel Adkins as the man to replace the sacked Alan Pardew in light of the club’s reversal of fortunes on the pitch since the latter’s departure.

The Saints have been beaten twice in succession since chairman Nicola Cortese decided to do away with Pardew and the Italian is desperately trying to put a new manager in place before the end of the week.

Cortese is reportedly impressed by the way Adkins led Scunthorpe United into the League Championship and avoided relegation last season even though the club has one of the division’s smallest gates and are on a tight budget.

Adkins became Scunthorpe United’s caretaker boss in November 2006 when Brian Laws left the club. One month later, the club decided to give him the job permanently and if he decides to make the switch to League One again with the Saints, he will be the club’s 13th manager of the millenium.

Tags: Alan Pardew, English League Championship, English League One, football managers, Nigel Adkins, Scunthorpe United, Southampton