Sunderland have had NO approach from the FA for Sam Allardyce England talks

And despite reports to the contrary, Allardyce is NOT thought to have a break clause in his contract to allow him to leave the Stadium of Light.

Allardyce is the favourite with the majority of bookmakers to succeed departed England boss Roy Hodgson after public support from a series of high-profile football figures, including Sir Alex Ferguson and ex-FA chairman David Bernstein.

Speculation today claimed that Allardyce had already held provisional talks with the FA and there is a clause in his Sunderland deal which would allow him to take the England job.

However, it is understood that Sunderland are yet to have any contact with the FA over permission to hold formal talks with Allardyce, while he is tied down to another 12 months at the Stadium of Light.

Allardyce has previously made no secret of his desire to take charge of his country after missing out on the job to Steve McClaren in 2006.

But at this stage, the FA appear to be taking soundings over possible candidates, with various reports that they will hold discussions with ex-Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and want to speak with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The FA trio of technical director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Martin Glenn and vice-chairman David Gill are due to spend the next fortnight considering a successor to Hodgson, before reporting on their findings.

But Sunderland will be desperate to tie Allardyce down to his role at the Stadium of Light after keeping Sunderland in the Premier League last season.

Allardyce only has a year remaining on his Black Cats deal, but as the Echo reported earlier this week, extending that contract has been on the club’s agenda for several weeks - prior to Hodgson’s resignation.