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Allardyce arrives to 'complete talks' with Crystal Palace

Former England boss Sam Allardyce arrived at Crystal Palace's training ground on Friday to finalise talks over becoming the club's new manager.

The 62-year-old was installed early on as the firm favourite to succeed Alan Pardew, who was sacked on Thursday following a calendar year of largely poor results.

"Just here to complete talks and talk to Steve. If everything goes alright it should be okay," he told Sky Sports news.

Asked whether he would be in charge for the match against Watford on Boxing Day, Allardyce added: "We'll wait and see. It's early days. Been a bit of a rush so we go on."

"It's obviously not confirmed who will be the next manager because I wouldn't be here if it was. I'm here to tell you about game against Watford," he said.

"Certainly for players he is an experienced Premier League manager. He did a great job keeping Sunderland up. If it is Sam, Palace are getting an experienced manager.

"I don't know if Sam Allardyce has got a point to prove with his career in league football because he has been very successful. The England job is very different. If you look at his record last season at Sunderland, he did well."

Allardyce left the England after he was caught by a newspaper sting apparently stating that he could offer advice on how to circumvent transfer regulations in the Premier League.