Alec Stewart has admitted he would be open to the idea of taking a role with England after the departure of Paul Downton from the ECB.

Surrey's cricket director revealed he would be "silly not to listen" to England and Wales Cricket Board bosses if they enquired about his services as they look to restructure following the exit of managing director Downton, who was sacked on Wednesday.

England's former wicketkeeper-batsman said he will talk to ECB chiefs if they consult him over filling a proposed new director of cricket role.

James Whitaker is expected to lose his role as a national selector after an ECB meeting on Thursday, with Michael Vaughan touted as the early front-runner for the new cricket director job.

Surrey boss Stewart admitted anyone "who feels they could make a difference at the top level" will be interested in England's newly-created role.

"The first question is what does the job entail? What is the job description?" said Stewart.

"I've always been passionate about England and English cricket and if the ECB want to speak to me of course I'll speak to them.

"They would have to get permission from Surrey first.

"But it would certainly be a job, if it's the right job, where you'd be silly not to listen to them.

"And that's not just me, that's anybody within the game who feels they could make a difference at the top level."

Beleaguered managing director Downton lost his job on Wednesday night after a tumultuous 14-month reign.

Downton took control in February 2014 but never recovered from his immediate controversial decision to sack star batsman Kevin Pietersen.

The reappointment of Peter Moores as head coach was designed to sweep a new broom through the ECB, but ultimately Downton has paid the price for those two key decisions.

Meanwhile Pietersen can resurrect his Test career and prove axed Paul Downton was wrong to sack him last year, according to Chris Tremlett.

Surrey paceman Tremlett believes England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Downton's departure on Wednesday night opens the door for controversial batsman Pietersen's return.

South Africa-born Pietersen is gearing up for his first county championship action since June 2013 after agreeing a new deal with Surrey.

"Maybe that's the case that those changes open a door," said Tremlett of Downton's ECB exit. "They were the guys who were in place that I guess made those rulings that he wasn't going to come back and play for England.

"People have heard things from Colin Graves the last few weeks that he might have a chance of coming back.

"I guess it's just wait and see, who knows what's going to happen in the next few weeks, other positions could change within the England set-up.

"But I think Kevin knows he's got a chance if he goes out there and scores runs.

"I think he feels he was harshly treated by being released from the ECB a year or so ago, so I think he's got a point to prove and it will be exciting to see what happens.

"I don't see why he can't get back into the England set-up.

"There's been a couple of changes over the last couple of days with England, and I don't know what's going to happen there.

"But I'm sure if he stacks up a lot of runs then people are going to be pushing for him to get back in the England side.

"It will be interesting to see how it unravels in the next five or six weeks.

"But from Surrey's point of view we're all hoping he gets out there and scores big runs."