FOOTBALL Association chiefs are due to meet up with Steve Bruce during the coming days to discuss the England job, meaning Sunderland face further time in limbo wondering if Sam Allardyce will be their manager next season.

The three-man FA selection panel assessing the credentials of the candidates to succeed Roy Hodgson have already spoken to a number of ex-professionals to gauge opinion and information as to who would be suited for the role.

Allardyce has been formally interviewed for the job but there does not appear to be a quick end in sight to the saga, with Hull’s former Sunderland boss Bruce expected to be next after returning from a pre-season trip to Portugal.

USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is also in line for an interview, although it has been claimed in the national media that the panel has been warned that the German can be difficult to deal with.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is another known to be in the FA’s plans, although Harry Redknapp – one of those to have been contacted for his view – has hinted that he has told technical director Dan Ashworth that Allardyce is the man most suited after it emerged Glenn Hoddle is unlikely to return to the post he left 17 years ago.

Ashworth has relayed the verdict back to the FA’s vice-chairman David Gill and chief executive Martin Glenn, the other two members on the panel, and can only have strengthened the Sunderland boss’ case for getting the job.

“I was in Glenn’s camp … but I will be delighted if Sam gets it," said Redknapp, a contender himself a few years ago but not in the frame this time around. Steve Bruce I like a lot too.

“Sam is a good man. He has plenty of knowledge, he will have plenty of enthusiasm for the job, so I will have no problems if Sam gets the job. I want an English manager. That is important to me.

"It will be interesting if Sam gets the job who they put alongside him. I am sure they will want to bring in a young guy as a manager for the future. That seems to be the plan. It will be interesting who they select, if Sam gets the job, to work with him.”

The plan is that the likes of Gareth Southgate, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard or Gary Neville could work alongside the next England boss, but Sunderland’s hierarchy is desperate for some movement sooner rather than later.

Allardyce, interviewed in Cheshire on Tuesday, has been back on Wearside since Wednesday working on potential transfer deals while his playing squad have remained in Austria for a pre-season training camp.

Striker Fabio Borini claimed, in an interview with the club’s website, that the atmosphere is exactly the same as last season within the camp without mentioning or being asked about Allardyce’s situation.

Borini said: “We are enjoying the triple sessions. It’s a good group and we have enjoyed the company. It’s good to see us not to forget anything over the summer from how we finished last season, that’s the key. We want to start well.

“We love to play football, the only thing we miss over here is playing games in competitive games. We did our best to stay up and now we want to enjoy the whole season not just the final months.”

Sunderland’s Emanuele Giaccherini has undergone a medical and will complete a £1.5m move to Napoli. The Italy international has agreed to a move to Napoli despite interest from elsewhere.

"We're almost there, it's all done for Giaccherini, the last few details are being ironed out with Sunderland," the player's agent Furio Valcareggi said.

"The boy is very happy. It was a choice made by him and his wife. He's finally getting what he deserves after being underestimated for years."