Vitor Pereira is keen on a return to the Premier League and has emerged as the top candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as Fulham manager. The 58-year-old is available after leaving Nottingham Forest in July and is understood to be waiting for a call from the club at Craven Cottage.

Fulham's hierarchy retains support for Arbeloa but his position is under intense scrutiny. The club sits 18th in the Premier League with just five points from seven games. A 1-0 home win over Hull City last Friday, secured by Alex Iwobi's 33rd-minute goal, provided only brief respite. That victory ended a run of six league games without a win to start the season, which included a damaging 2-1 loss at Ipswich Town where two late goals turned the game.

Pereira the leading candidate

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown confirmed Fulham's interest in Pereira this week. Brown stated that Pereira would be interested in the job but has reservations about the squad's quality. "I'm told Vitor Pereira will be looking to return to the Premier League as soon as possible," Brown said.

Pereira lost just three of his 12 Premier League matches in charge at Nottingham Forest, guiding them away from relegation trouble and to the Europa League semi-finals. His contract was terminated in July to make way for Oliver Glasner, a move that angered sections of the Forest support. He also has experience stabilising struggling clubs from a previous stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Arbeloa's precarious position

Despite the win over Hull, Arbeloa is believed to have just two games to save his job. The club's board is expected to assess his future properly during the November international break. Fulham's next match is away to Coventry City, who sit one place above them in 17th. The fixture list shows it is the third of three consecutive games against newly-promoted sides.

Fulham's recent form of two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five outings offers a glimmer of hope, but the underlying table position creates urgency. The team has scored seven goals and conceded ten this season, leaving them 16 points behind leaders Manchester City.

The trip to Coventry on Saturday will be decisive. A positive result could buy Arbeloa more time, while another setback may force the club's hand and accelerate a move for Pereira.

More detail at Football Insider