SAM ALLARDYCE has pushed his own claims to become the next England manager during a first formal interview with the Football Association’s decision makers earlier today.

The Sunderland boss has emerged as the odds-on frontrunner to become Roy Hodgson’s successor after heading for the meeting at the home of the FA’s vice-chairman David Gill.

Gill and the two other members of the panel choosing Hodgson’s replacement – technical boss Dan Ashworth and chief executive Martin Glenn – were all present after Allardyce was called for the gathering.

The Black Cats manager left his squad behind to train with his backroom staff in Austria in order to meet up with the FA delegation, even though club sources claim he will also use the trip back home to work on possible transfer targets.

Allardyce’s chances of landing the top job in English football – and one of the most coveted and lucrative international jobs in the world – are extremely strong.

He has received a glowing recommendation from Sir Alex Ferguson, who formed a partnership during his time at Old Trafford with Gill.

There is plenty of support for his appointment from within the FA, with many hoping he will lead the team and have a younger coach coming through as his assistant like Gary Neville or Gareth Southgate.

But there is also known to be some opposition, so the FA will discuss the position with other figures on a shortlist. Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe is expected to be one of those, although his lack of experience has been brought up as a concern on the three-man selection panel.

The merits of former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, as well as Glenn Hoddle, Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klinsmann have been discussed too.

Allardyce, however, is the first to have had a formal interview, some ten years after he was overlooked for Steve McClaren.

The situation is certainly not ideal for Sunderland as they look to prepare for the new Premier League season.

There have already been unsuccessful attempts to strengthen the squad and the uncertainty surrounding Allardyce’s future will only jeopardise the recruitment push.

Sunderland sources insist his premature return to England, while his players train in Austria, is also to work on potential transfer targets and that work will continue to improve the squad.

Allardyce has continued talks over new signings having admitted over the last couple of days that his “patience is wearing extremely thin” after a failure to land his targets.

West Ham’s Diafra Sakho is still his main striker target. However, Sunderland’s transfer cause is hindered because Allardyce faces trying to persuade players to move to the Stadium of Light even though he could be offered the England post before the new season even kicks off.

The uncertainty will certainly be a factor when Yann M’Vila decides on his future after it emerged Everton are the latest club to express an interest.

The Rubin Kazan midfielder, who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light, has already registered on Southampton’s radar and Everton are now keen.

M’Vila is out of contract in January so Rubin are not in a strong position to keep him for much longer, although the player is showing a reluctance to turn his back on the remaining term of his lucrative deal in Russia.

The complicated stand-off over a pay-off or a fee has held up a permanent deal with Sunderland, enabling other clubs to express an interest after a relatively impressive first season in the Premier League.

Last week former Newcastle defender Davide Santon rejected the move to Sunderland from Inter Milan, because he didn’t want a relegation clause in his contract.

Another player on his way from Sunderland is Emanuele Giaccherini.

The Italian playmaker impressed in Euro 2016 and has been linked with a number of clubs, including Chelsea following the appointment of Italy boss Antonio Conte, as well as numerous teams in in his homeland after last season’s loan at Bologna.

But he is to sign a three-year contract and complete a £1.5m move to Napoli to end his disappointing time on Wearside.

He moved from Juventus in a £6.5m deal three years ago, but spent last season on loan at Bologna after only 45 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring five times. Napoli expect to announce the deal in the next 48 hours.