West Ham boss Avram Grant has been given a stay of execution as the club's manager, BBC Sport understands.

Owners David Gold and David Sullivan refused to comment on Grant's future after a board meeting and the Israeli's side now faces Arsenal on Saturday.

The 2-1 Carling Cup semi-final first-leg win over Birmingham and the FA Cup win over Barnsley last weekend has helped the immediate pressure on Grant.

But he must guide West Ham out of the relegation zone to keep his job.

West Ham have suffered just one defeat in seven games and the Israeli said his future has been unfairly scrutinised.

"We are one point from Wigan, Fulham and others but with them everything is quiet," said Grant.

Four of those last seven games have been won and the 55-year-old added: "Unfortunately, we have to fight these rumours. I don't want to think about other things, I want to fight."

After the win over Birmingham, which leaves the Hammers 90 minutes from their first trip to Wembley since the 1981 League Cup final, Grant was keen to deflect attention from his own situation and focus on the team instead.