ONE reason offered for Sunderland being reluctant to appoint Sam Allardyce is his Newcastle connection.

Fierce local rivalry, so the argument goes, would put him offside with some Black Cats fans before he even got started. Surely Niall Quinn won’t let that stand in his way.

If Big Sam is considered the best man for the job – and I could fully understand the Sunderland chairman thinking that – then he should be installed as quickly as possible.

He knows the club – having played for them and worked on the backroom staff – he knows Quinn very well indeed and he knows the Premiership inside out.

Why should eight tortuous months as manager at St James’ Park count against him? He didn’t exactly establish himself as a Newcastle legend.

In fact he ended up having such an uncomfortable time on Tyneside that you’d think Sunderland fans would welcome him with open arms.

It’s time Sam was back in football and I reckon he would be the perfect replacement for Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light. But I wonder, being that he is available and has made no secret of the fact that he would jump at the chance, why he has not already been appointed.