BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Newcastle United | Allardyce backed for Magpies job

Allardyce turned down the job before it was offered to Souness in 2004 but has continued to be linked with the post.

A spokesman for Bolton said: "We've got no comment to make. Sam has got a job to do here and is under contract."

Also in the frame are former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill and Magpies' skipper Alan Shearer to be a contender.

O'Neill is currently taking a break from football after leaving Celtic to take care of his wife, who is unwell.

However, may be tempted into making a return to football, with the Newcastle job one of the biggest available.

As for Shearer, he has been made assistant to caretaker-manager Glenn Roeder, who had been working as academy coach at Newcastle.

IN THE RUNNING

Sam Allardyce 5/2

Martin O'Neill 3/1

Alan Shearer 6/1

Alan Curbishley, Steve Bruce, Sven-Goran Eriksson 7/1

Mark Hughes 8/1

Paul Jewell 10/1

Stuart Pearce, Guus Hiddink 14/1

David Moyes, Kevin Keegan, Louis van Gaal 20/1

David O'Leary 25/1

Kenny Dalglish 33/1

Peter Reid 100/1

Paul Gascoigne 500/1

Odds provided by Ladbrokes on 2/2/06

The former England captain's elevation from player to management at Newcastle has been widely touted for some time.

And with Shearer due to end his playing career at the end of the season, his path to taking over the reins St James' Park seems clearer than ever.

Another who is bound to be considered is England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who will be out of work after this summer's World Cup.

The Swede would be the big-name craved on Tyneside but the fact he is not available immediately could rule him out.

Proven Premiership managers hold an obvious appeal for the Newcastle board.

But it might be surprising to see relative novice Paul Jewell being mentioned, despite his outstanding success with Wigan this term.

Jewell has guided his side to the Carling Cup final and fifth place in the Premiership.

Other top-flight bosses believed to be in the running are Birmingham's Steve Bruce, Blackburn's Mark Hughes and Manchester City's Stuart Pearce.

Many of the managers among the Newcastle candidates have also been linked with the England job.

Conversely, the supposed heir-apparent to Eriksson, Steve McClaren, appears unfancied to fill the vacancy on Tyneside.

Among the foreign names in the mix is former Ajax and Barcelona chief Louis van Gaal.