The former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham boss has experience of managing in the Championship and knows how tough it can be to come straight back up after relegation, but Short has made it clear he would like him to stay.

Although Allardyce still believes Sunderland can get out of relegation trouble, he has plans in place should they fail and has an idea of the players who will want to remain on Wearside and those who will ask to leave.

It is a pragmatic approach after Allardyce admitted his side have made things extremely tough for themselves by drawing too many games, including the Tyne-Wear derby before the international break.

The Black Cats are two points adrift of safety, but have a game in hand over fourth-from-bottom Norwich City, who they play in a fortnight’s time.