Sam Allardyce for England job: Sunderland players brace themselves for Big Sam exit as Black Cats boss nears Three Lions role

SUNDERLAND players are bracing themselves for Sam Allardyce’s exit.

The Black Cats boss flew home from their Austrian training camp to be interviewed for the vacant England manager’s job.

SunSport understands players were called into a meeting by coaches after Big Sam jetted back to the UK on Monday.

And they were told then that Allardyce was the FA’s “first choice” for the Three Lions post.

The departure of their popular manager would be a huge blow for a group who had high hopes for the upcoming season after they escaped relegation last term.

Allardyce’s England chances were further strengthened yesterday when Hull revealed the FA have not asked to talk to their manager, Steve Bruce.

A Tigers statement read: “Hull City confirm there has been no approach from the FA.”

Allardyce has not heard anything more from the FA since his chat at vice-chairman David Gill’s Cheshire home on Tuesday.

He has been working in Sunderland on transfer business having decided not to fly back to Austria.

But the uncertainty over his Stadium of Light future is halting any progress in his recruitment drive.

The Black Cats are one of only two Premier League clubs yet to make any additions this summer — Stoke being the other.

Sunderland are desperate for Big Sam to stay but are making contingency plans in case he does leave, with out-of-work David Moyes and Burnley boss Sean Dyche on their radar.