Newt Gingrich is reportedly among 'five or six' candidates being considered for the VP ticket by Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Along with Gingrich, who is expected to be able to rally support for Trump from the Republican base if selected, Trump told Fox News he was also considering Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin and former Arizona governor Jan Brewer.

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Former House of Representatives speaker Gingrich endorsed Trump on 11 May and has not ruled out the possibility of taking a VP position.

This move deviates from former rumoured running mate South Carolina governor Nikki Hayley, who dismissed the idea, saying: "To the members of the press who are asking, while I am flattered to be mentioned and proud of what that says about the great things going on in South Carolina, my plate is full and I am not interested in serving as vice president."

It has also been noted that Gingrich is encouraging less pro-Trump Republicans to back the presumptive nominee rather than attempting to find ways to block his candidacy, telling Time magazine: "You can be for the Hillary Clinton team or you can be for Donald Trump to defeat Hillary Clinton. There's no honest, realistic third choice."

It is also rumoured that former presidential hopefuls Marco Rubio and Chris Christie are among those under consideration for the role with another hopeful, Ben Carson, merely aiding the Trump campaign with the VP shortlist – which AP said Trump had narrowed to five or six candidates.

Trump, as with any other presidential candidate, will be expected to choose a VP who either covers his weaknesses or highlights his strengths.

Having ruled herself out of the race, the tycoon is is likely to be courting candidates similar to Hayley – a female from a minority ethnic background – who may have had appeal with voter bases that Trump had previously alienated.

Fallin and Brewin, too, could help court the female vote although Gingrich is being considered, no doubt, due to his substantial sway with grass roots Republicans.

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