AVRAM GRANT'S proposed move to take the reins at West Ham appeared a step closer to reality today after Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou admitted the club 'will not stand in his way'.

Pompey boss Grant, who guided the side to the FA Cup final this season, has emerged as the overwhelming favourite to succeed Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park, after the Italian was sacked last week.

And the path appears to have been cleared for the Israeli manager's departure, with Andronikou announcing the club would allow Grant to move on.

He told the Daily Mail: “We'll sit down this week and have a discussion about his future, I want to make it clear we will support which decision he comes to. He's given unconditional support for us over the last four months when maybe other managers would have walked.

“If he wants to leave we won't stand in his way. We'll give him our full support.

“We're not going to hold anyone to ransom. If he wants to move on we'll be behind that. I think all the fans would be behind that decision, too.”