Big Sam in Black Cats link

Former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has emerged as the early front runner to replace Roy Keane as the next Sunderland boss.

Allardyce, who made 25 appearances for the Black Cats during his playing career, is looking for a new job after leaving the Magpies in January after just half a season in charge at St James' Park.

Despite failing to win over the Geordie faithful, Allardyce enjoyed a successful eight-year spell with Bolton in which he turned them from a Championship side into an established Premier League outfit. He also guided them to a Carling Cup final appearance in 2004 and European football for the first time in the club's history.

However whether the Sunderland fans would be happy to have a failed Newcastle manager take over their hot seat could work against Allardyce.

Meanwhile former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley and current Celtic manager Gordon Strachan are also being mooted as potential replacements.