West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has added weight to speculation linking assistant head coach Michael Appleton with the manager's post at Portsmouth.
Pompey are on the look out for a new manager following the departure of Steve Cotterill to Nottingham Forest, and Appleton is one of those believed to be in the frame.
Speaking after West Brom's 3-0 defeat against Arsenal, Hodgson said: "I think they (Portsmouth) are interested in him, which does not surprise me because he is a very good coach.
"If the offer does come to him and he decides to take it, it will be a huge blow for us and we will be very sad to lose him, both players and staff.
"One can then only congratulate Portsmouth on discovering him, as it were, and realising that in him they have a potentially fine new manager.
"As far as I am concerned, it is up to Michael himself. If the offer comes his way and he wants to take it, I will back him to the hilt in terms of him going."