The 56-year-old Welshman is seeking a way back into football after walking out of Crystal Palace just days before the start of the season.

But the ex-Stoke City boss is also on Brighton & Hove Albion’s radar as a possible successor to under-pressure Sami Hyypia after Seagulls’ poor start to the Championship campaign.

Pulis (14/1) is joint-fourth favourite to take over at Reading FC, with ex-West Brom manager Steve Clarke (4/6) currently leading the betting with Paddy Power.

The odds on Brian McDermott making a sensational return to Madejski Stadium for a second stint in charge have lengthened from 8/1 last night to 20/1 this morning.

McDermott, 53, led Reading to the Premier League by winning the Championship title in 2012, only to lose his job the following March.

Adkins’ predecessor also guided Royals to safety in the same division in the 2009-10 season when he took over from Brendan Rodgers.

He is currently working as a scout for his former club Arsenal after ending a rocky spell as boss of Leeds United at the end of last season.

But Clarke is the clear front-runner with most bookmakers to be the next Royals boss, closely followed by ex-Manchester United assistant manager, Rene Meulensteen (7/2).

The 51-year-old guided the Baggies to eighth place in the Premier League in 2012-13 but lost his job a year ago, a decision many felt was harsh on the Scot.

Chris Hughton (4/1) is also among the favourites with BetVictor as he looks for a way back into management, as is former Tottenham boss, Tim Sherwood (14/1).

Hughton was poised to succeed Felix Magath at Fulham earlier this season, only for Kit Symons to land the role.

However, the ex-Newcastle, Birmingham City and Norwich City boss has plenty of experience behind him and could be tempted to lead Royals’ forward.

Reading’s highly-rated Academy director, Eamonn Dolan (6/1), and legendary Royals skipper Phil Parkinson (25/1), now boss of Bradford City, are among the other candidates.

Dolan is expected to take first-team training at Hogwood Park today with the help of Academy coaches, Martin Kuhl, and David Dodds.

Adkins was relieved of his duties last night in the wake of Royals’ 6-1 humbling at Birmingham City on Saturday.

The embarassing defeat left Reading 16th in the Championship table after winning a mere three of their last 15 games.

Assistant manager Andy Crosby and first-team coach Dean Wilkins have also left in a major shake-up at Madejski Stadium.

Reading are remaining tight lipped over the identity of their No.1 choice and issued the following statement last night:

“The board of Reading Football Club have this afternoon relieved Manager Nigel Adkins of his duties.

“The club met with Nigel in person today and we would like to place on permanent record our thanks to him for his hard work and diligence since his appointment in March 2013.

“Following this weekend’s 6-1 defeat at Birmingham, the board feel that a change in Manager is necessary, with the club 16th in the Sky Bet Championship.

“As part of this process, assistant manager Andy Crosby and first-team Coach Dean Wilkins will also be leaving the club, and we would also like to thank them for their efforts.

“The board of Reading Football Club are committed to taking this club forward and will make a further announcement to our supporters in due course.”

Paddy Power betting: Steve Clarke 6/4; Rene Meulensteen 7/2; Eamonn Dolan 6/1; Tony Pulis 14/1; Tim Sherwood 14/1; Tony Mowbray 20/1; Paolo Di Canio 20/1; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 20/1; Terry Butcher 20/1; Billy Davies 20/1; Nigel Clough 20/1; Uwe Rosler 20/1; Slaven Bilic 20/1; Brian McDermott 20/1; Gianfranco Zola 25/1; Karl Robinson 25/1; Neil Lennon 25/1; Dave Jones 25/1; Keith Hill 25/1; Dennis Wise 25/1; Ally McCoist; Stuart McCall 25/1; Paul Ince 25/1; Phil Parkinson 25/1; Martin Jol 25/1/ Brendan Rodgers 66/1.

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPLACE NIGEL ADKINS AS READING FC MANAGER? Leave a comment below.