Southampton are considering Alan Shearer as a replacement for under pressure manager Nigel Adkins, according to the Daily Mail.

The man who brought Saints back from League One has struggled with life in the Premier League so far, with his side winning just one game from their opening nine.

To make matters worse the south coast outfit have shipped 26 goals, the highest in the league, and occupy 19th position in the table.

Chairman Nicola Cortese has become anxious in recent weeks as the club show little sign of turning around their fortunes, despite significant investment over the summer.

Alan Shearer has been mooted by some as a possible replacement in the dugout following the club’s 3-0 defeat to Championship outfit Leeds in the Capital One Cup.

Shearer was a product of Southampton’s youth academy and is highly respected by the club’s fans.

He made over 100 first-team appearances in the red and white shirt before moving to Blackburn 1992.

Although he doesn’t have the finest of managerial records, having been relegated with Newcastle in 2009, the Geordie is seen as a high profile candidate by the board who may be tempted to put their trust in an inexperienced yet respected footballing figure.

Adkins’ next game in charge will be away to West Brom, who have an impressive record at the Hawthorns this season.