MAGPIES KEEN ON BIG SAM

Allardyce quit as Bolton boss last week but his spell out of work could be brief with middle-men working on his options for a return this summer.

Newcastle, after a nondescript season punctuated by injury problems, are believed to be interested again in Allardyce.

One source close to the club told me: "The Geordies would love Big Sam's belligerent style and no-nonsense approach.

"That would go down well here so it's watch this space."

Newcastle were close to appointing him three years ago after Sir Bobby Robson's exit but the bid was aborted when it came clear Bolton had a £2million compensation clause protecting their boss.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside suggested on Monday the had provisions to extend their protection, even after Allardyce's resignation.

"He's going to turn up somewhere," said Gartside.

"He has two and a half years left on his contract. We have a compromise agreement in place that covers his resignation from this job."

Allardyce has tried to engineer his release from that clause and, if he is successful, will be particularly attractive to Newcastle.