Tim Sherwood has been backed for a second time to become Albion’s next manager.

Bookies have clipped the former Spurs chief’s odds into 5-1, with speculation continuing to surround the future of Sami Hyypia.

Hyypia, assistant Nathan Jones, chief executive Paul Barber and head of football David Burke gathered at the Amex yesterday on a day off for the players.

Sherwood, 45, was sacked by Spurs at the end of last season, six months into an 18-month contract.

He was immediately installed as the red-hot favourite to succeed Oscar Garcia in the Seagulls’ post following the Spaniard’s resignation in May.

The straight-talking former Blackburn and Tottenham midfielder, above, soon disappeared from contention.

Now Sherwood has come to the fore again, with Hyypia under severe pressure after one league win in 17, but chairman Tony Bloom and the Albion Board are so far still standing by the Finn.

Hyypia and his players are scheduled to attend two local hospitals today to hand out Christmas gifts.

Meanwhile, Albion’s fellow Championship strugglers Reading have sacked manager Nigel Adkins in the wake of Saturday’s humiliating 6-1 defeat at Birmingham.

Adkins, who took the reins at the Madejski Stadium in March 2013, leaves with the Royals – who visit the Amex on Boxing Day – in 16th position in the table.

Former Albion manager Dean Wilkins has also left his role as first team coach along assistant manager Andy Crosby.

Adkins took over from Brian McDermott and presided over relegation from the Premier League before delivering a seventh-placed finish in the 2013/14 season as the Royals missed out on the play-offs on the final day of the campaign.

However, results have been far more patchy this term, with Reading losing seven of their last 11 Championship games to sit seven points clear of safety, with the thrashing at Birmingham their worst league defeat in 15 years.