Allardyce linked with Sunderland

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is being strongly linked with the vacant managerial post at Niall Quinn's Sunderland.

Allardyce has emerged as a surprise contender for the job at the Stadium of Light with some bookmakers suspending betting on him being named Mick McCarthy's permanent successor.

The 51-year-old, who was overlooked for the England job recently, is believed to be one of the names being considered by incoming Sunderland chairman Quinn.

Quinn told the Sunderland Echo: "The selection of the next Sunderland manager remains a work in progress, but the reality is that there are three or four names that are in the frame at the moment and that are being considered."

The move would mean Allardyce having to take a step down to the Championship having established Bolton as a Premiership fixture.

He has guided Wanderers into eighth, sixth and eighth places in the last three Premiership seasons after masterminding their promotion to the top flight in 2001.

He was linked with the hotseat at Newcastle last season but after rejecting the chance to manage the Magpies in 2004, chairman Freddy Shepherd did not make a second approach and turned to Glenn Roeder instead.

Allardyce was Sunderland captain for a season under Ken Knighton in the early 1980s and returned briefly as director of youth under Peter Reid.

However, he has four years of his 10-year contract at the Reebok Stadium still to run, and that could prove problematical should the Black Cats launch a serious attempt to lure him away.  PA