Blackburn ready to move for Big Sam to replace City-bound Hughes

Sam Allardyce is the frontrunner to replace Mark Hughes at Blackburn after indicating an eagerness to return to management.

With Mark Hughes seemingly bound for Manchester City, Blackburn have already begun considering potential successors and are believed to be assessing the claims of Allardyce, Paul Ince, Neil Warnock and an alliance of Ewood Park old boys Mike Newell and Alan Shearer.

Although Allardyce's Bolton background may count against him in supporters' eyes, it is understood Blackburn have already made initial contact, less than six months after his sacking by Newcastle.

Blackburn confirmed yesterday that they had reluctantly allowed Hughes to open talks with City about replacing the sacked Sven Goran Eriksson and are expected to follow up their interest in Allardyce on his return from a family holiday today.

Hughes' departure increases the prospect of Blackburn's David Bentley leaving, with Liverpool and City likely to lead the bidding.