Bolton boss Sam Allardyce insists none of the major candidates for the England job should give up hope of succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson despite the FA's pursuit of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Allardyce would have every right to feel aggrieved if Soho Square officials do eventually choose Scolari as it is widely acknowledged he performed best during the FA's extensive interview process. But, without receiving official confirmation from Brian Barwick, he sees no reason why either himself, or Alan Curbishley, Steve McClaren and Martin O'Neill should throw in the towel just yet.

He said: "As far as I am concerned, all those who have been interviewed for a second time should all feel as though they are still in with a shout. We all want a final, definitive decision to be made but, as the FA have said, the process is still progressing. They are still finding out the way they want to go and who they want to select."