SAM Allardyce has declared his personal support for Sven-Goran Eriksson in his quest to lead England to World Cup glory.

The Wanderers boss, the people's choice and bookies' favourite to succeed the Swede when he steps down this summer, is refusing to play ball with speculation that he will be the next head coach of the national team.

He insists he has enough on his plate at the Reebok, where he is preparing for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Arsenal, while desperately trawling the markets in the hope of strengthening his squad before next Tuesday's transfer deadline.

But he has given Eriksson his backing to fly the flag in Germany.

"We've just got to concentrate on the World Cup and wish Sven and the team all the best in the tournament," he said.

"In the meantime, I've got a delicate situation to handle here, where I'm trying to achieve results under difficult circumstances."

Allardyce has been the focus of intense media attention since the Football Association announced on Monday night that Eriksson was to leave his post after the World Cup. But he has made it clear, as has his chairman Phil Gartside who is currently in Australia but still in daily contact with the club, that it is business as usual at the Reebok.

"I'm trying to find a player," the manager said, "but it's looking more and more like I'm going to have to wait until just before the deadline.

"All our top targets have either gone to other clubs or we haven't been able to secure them because of our financial situation."

Allardyce has been successful with deadline-beating raids in previous winters and would like to think he could find a player of the calibre of Vincent Candela, the former French international full-back he signed on loan from Roma last January. But he fears he might not be so fortunate this time round.

"I'm not so sure if there is a Vincent Candela out there for us," he added. "I didn't want to be in this position again but that's the way it is."

Meanwhile, Charlton chief executive Peter Varney, says his club would not stand in Alan Curbishley's way if the FA chose him to succeed Eriksson.

"If they do come calling we've always been consistent - at the end of the day it's Alan's decision," Varney said.

"We passionately want Alan to stay here. However, it is the biggest job in football and we wouldn't stand in his way.

"He's proved over his 15 years here that he's an excellent coach. We're the only team to win and draw at Chelsea this season, which perhaps speaks volumes for his tactical ability."