Peter Moores could be sacked by the end of this week following Kevin Pietersen's demand for a swift conclusion to the row rocking English cricket.

Hopes of Moores and Pietersen settling their differences appear increasingly far-fetched, despite the best efforts of managing director Hugh Morris to hammer out an agreement. And there is likely to be only one winner if it comes to down to getting rid of either coach or captain.

Morris's prospects of brokering a peace deal - at least to see England through their imminent tour of West Indies - would have been reasonable if the row had remained in-house.

But with Moores refusing to deny reports of a fall out and Pietersen adding fuel to the fire with comments over the weekend, the breakdown of their relationship is now clear for all to see.

"The situation is not healthy, we have to make sure it is settled as soon as possible and certainly before we fly off to the West Indies (on 21 January)," said Pietersen. "Everything has to be hunky-dory, everybody has to have the same aims and pull in the same direction."

Wisely, Pietersen will not be seen to demand Moores's sacking. But Morris and the rest of the ECB's top brass are likely to come to the conclusion, if they have not reached it already, that only decisive action will now suffice.

"It's a bit of a mess but I've a feeling Kevin will get his way," said former England captain David Gower. "They are going to have to back their captain."

Getting rid of Moores, at a cost of around £250,000, would be a bitter pill to swallow and could prompt an exodus of his back-room staff.

Then there is the question of finding a stand-in coach for the Caribbean. Despite his limited experience with Warwickshire, Ashley Giles would be favourite to fill-in while the ECB searches for a full-time successor to Moores.