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Former Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren is surprisingly fourth-favourite in the early betting to succeed Sam Allardyce as Sunderland manager, should the Black Cats boss land the England job.

Paddy Power are offering odds of 8/1 on McClaren crossing the Tyne-Wear divide, despite the fact he was sacked by the Magpies and replaced with Rafa Benitez just four months ago with United languishing in the Premier League relegation zone.

The 55-year-old, who still lives in the North East, is still out of work, having been rejected for several managerial roles both at home and abroad this summer - including Cardiff City and Rotherham United.

Sunderland released a statement on Wednesday morning confirming that Allardyce - who has also managed Newcastle - had already held talks with the Football Association about taking charge of the Three Lions.

The Black Cats have stressed that speculation over the former Bolton Wanderer boss’ future is “extremely damaging” to the club and have demanded that the FA “bring about a swift resolution to the matter”.

David Moyes is the early favourite to takeover at The Stadium of Light if England do appoint Allardyce, with Paddy Power offering odds of 5/2 on the out-of-work former Manchester United manager.

Former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson (4/1) is the second favourite, followed by USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann (6/1), McClaren (8/1) and ex-Everton boss Roberto Martinez (10/1).

Ryan Giggs, Frank de Boer and Sunderland captain John O’Shea are all available at 14/1.