SUNDERLAND boss Sam Allardyce is set to be named on the shortlist for the next England manager, with the Football Association keen to hold a first round of interviews before the start of the domestic season.

The FA have completed their consultancy process, and the three-man panel charged with the task of recruiting Roy Hodgson is ready to recommend a three-man shortlist. Allardyce is expected to be on that shortlist, along with Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and an overseas candidate, who could turn out to be United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann.

Losing Allardyce either ahead of the start of the season or in the opening weeks of the new campaign would represent a massive blow to Sunderland, but a source close to the Black Cats boss claims that while he is mindful of the potential damage his departure could cause, he remains desperate to secure the England job, which he regards as the most prestigious post in the country.

He was interviewed for the position in 2006, only to lose out to Steve McClaren, and has never hidden his desire to take charge of the national team.

The FA’s recruitment team, which comprises chief executive Martin Glenn, former Manchester United chairman David Gill and technical director Dan Ashworth, have canvassed opinion from a number of high-profile figures in the game including Harry Redknapp, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker.

Redknapp is understood to have backed Allardyce for the job, while Sir Alex Ferguson, who remains a close confidante of Gill, has also publicly endorsed the 61-year-old’s claims.

While the FA are willing to look overseas, they would prefer to appoint an Englishman, having invested millions into St George’s Park and a new network of English coaches.

Howe, who guided Bournemouth to Premier League safety last season, has his supporters, but Allardyce’s extensive experience could prove key. Of the other leading English candidates, Alan Pardew and Gareth Southgate have ruled themselves out of the running while Glenn Hoddle is not being considered.

The FA would like to include Arsene Wenger on their shortlist, but the Arsenal manager has ruled out leaving Arsenal until he has completed the final year of his contract at the Emirates. Appointing an interim manager for the next 12 months is not believed to be an option, although the FA would be willing to consider a temporary appointment for September’s opening World Cup qualifier against Slovakia if the recruitment process drags on.

Sunderland’s board are aware of the ongoing interest in Allardyce, but are yet to begin a formal process of drawing up a list of potential replacements.

Reports last week claimed the Black Cats boss had a ‘release clause’ in his contract enabling him to walk away from Wearside, but senior club sources have dismissed such suggestions. Allardyce has 12 months remaining on his current deal, and the FA would have to negotiate a compensation payment if they wanted to prise him away from the Stadium of Light.

The Sunderland hierarchy would be understandably reluctant to agree to such a scenario, although they could find it difficult to appease Allardyce if he was offered the England job, only to be prevented from taking it on.

Allardyce is currently in Austria presiding over a pre-season training camp, with Sunderland due to play their opening friendly at Hartlepool on July 20.

Having previously bemoaned the fitness levels of Sunderland’s players at the start of last season, Allardyce is overseeing three training sessions a day.

“It’s been hard work, but it’s been good,” said Jermain Defoe. “It’s a nice place and quiet, so everyone can focus. The lads have looked forward to coming back, seeing each other again and getting down to the hard work.

“We want to have a good start to the season, so it’s important that we put the hard work in now. We are doing three sessions a day, which is never easy, but it’s important and we need to make sure that we’re flying when it comes to the first game of the season.”