© Rex Features
A production insider has claimed that the Sky Sports presenter wants to discuss staying on the Channel 4 gameshow.
"I would be very surprised if Jeff didn't stay on now," the source told The Mirror. "He made the decision to quit because he feared his hectic workload would make it impossible to focus on Countdown.
"But it has become clear that Jeff should be able to manage the schedule alongside his other work."
Stelling, who has hosted the programme since January 2009, announced his decision to leave in May, saying that he wanted to devote more time to his responsibilities at Sky.
The 55-year-old is due to leave the show at the end of 2011 and Rory Bremner, Aled Jones and 'Dictionary Corner' regular Gyles Brandreth had all been tipped as replacements for him.
A spokesperson for broadcaster Channel 4 confirmed that discussions about next year's presenting team were "ongoing".
Watch a clip from Jeff Stelling's Countdown debut in January 2009 below:
