SAM ALLARDYCE is carrying on with summer transfer plans for Sunderland despite being touted as one of the front-runners for the England job.

Roy Hodgson’s decision to step down after a woeful last-16 defeat to Iceland at the Euros has left the Football Association weighing up candidates to succeed him.

Gareth Southgate, the former Middlesbrough manager, is being considered for an interim role while the search goes on after enjoying success with the Under-21s.

Allardyce, as well as the likes of Southgate, Glenn Hoddle, Eddie Howe and Alan Pardew, are regarded as the leading English contenders to take on the challenge of leading England to the World Cup in two years’ time.

The former West Ham manager has received support from a number of former players and pundits, while even Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe backed him to be the man to bring brighter times back to the England set-up.

The 61-year-old only has a year remaining on his contract on Wearside and there has been no rush, on either side, to get a new deal sorted despite successfully keeping Sunderland in the Premier League during his first seven months in charge.

Ellis Short, the Sunderland owner, is keen for Allardyce to continue his good work as he looks to ensure the club avoids another relegation fight next season.

The Black Cats boss is trying to put talk about the England vacancy to one side so he can focus on making his squad stronger for next season after failing to make the sort of progress he would have liked on the transfer front.

His attempts to make a quick signing this summer have failed, with West Ham digging their heels in over Senegalese front-man Diafra Sakho while they continue their own search for a new striker.

That has led to Sunderland keeping an eye on the situations of Edin Dzeko, Andre Ayew, Bafetimbi Gomis and Bas Dost.

Sunderland are hunting for players in a variety of positions and it has been claimed in France they have moved in too late to attract Djibril Sidibe.

Monaco have already agreed a fee in the region of £12.5m for the Lille full-back, who can also play on the left or in midfield, and sources across the English Channel claim the Premier League club have made a late offer for his services.

Sunderland are looking to fill that role after losing DeAndre Yedlin following the end of his loan from Tottenham. Allardyce is keen on having the American back, but no agreement has been reached for the £3m-rated Spurs man.

Santiago Vergini, meanwhile, remains on the radar of Boca Juniors and a deal for the 27-year-old looks to have been revived despite Sunderland’s demands for a £1.5m fee. He spent last season on loan at Getafe and both clubs expect the deal to be concluded by the end of the week.

Vergini is back in Argentina seeking a new club and Boca president Daniel Angelici says talks are at an advanced stage.

“I believe we’re signing Vergini,” he said. “We’ve advanced with the negotiations, we have everything almost done with the club and the player.”