Sam Allardyce has taken the next step towards becoming Newcastle manager after holding talks with chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Allardyce, who recently quit Premiership rivals Bolton, is the strong favourite to succeed Glenn Roeder at St James' Park.

He met Shepherd at Mayfair's exclusive Claridge's hotel yesterday in what was reportedly a three-hour lunch.

Allardyce said in The Sun: "It was a good meeting and my agent will speak to Newcastle again over the next few days to discuss matters further."