David Moyes heads Sky Bet's list of contenders to replace Sam Allardyce at Sunderland

We look at the leading contenders to replace Sam Allardyce as Sunderland boss amid his imminent appointment as England manager.

The Black Cats are expected to turn to a candidate currently out of work, with a swift appointment likely to be preferable as the club are back in pre-season ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

David Moyes is considered the leading contender, having been backed in from 5/2 to just 1/8 with Sky Bet, short odds given the early stages of the club's search.

Here's a look at the credentials of the favourites for the role...

David Moyes (1/8 with Sky Bet)

The Wearside outfit have reportedly made Moyes their No 1 target, with Sky sources understanding an approach is imminent. The club's need to move fast with the new season just around the corner will make out-of-work candidates all the more appealing, with Moyes fitting the bill having been relieved of his duties at Real Sociedad in November.

The 53-year-old boasts a wealth of Premier League experience, having spent 10 years at Everton before attempting to manage the gargantuan expectations at Manchester United. That was followed by a disappointing spell at Real Sociedad and the question is whether he is ready for another challenge, with Sunderland expected to be embroiled in yet another relegation battle this season.

Ryan Giggs (10/1 with Sky Bet)

If an experienced relegation battler is what Sunderland are after then they surely won't be looking at the glory-laden Giggs, whose closest experiences to strife have come in top-four battles as assistant manager at Manchester United. However, if the Black Cats are setting their targets higher then Giggs represents an opportunity to swoop for a man that has played under and alongside the very best, boasting every club honour in the English game.

Frank de Boer (16/1 with Sky Bet)

Like Giggs, De Boer enjoyed a glittering playing career, but what separates him is that he has plenty more managerial experience, having won four successive Eredivisie titles with Ajax. The 46-year-old decided to move on after agonisingly being denied a fifth on the final day of last season but is yet to find a new club, having been heavily linked to vacancies at Everton and Southampton.

Roberto Martinez (16/1 with Sky Bet)

Roberto Martinez led Swansea into the Championship before steering Wigan safely through three successive relegation battles in the Premier League. Even when the Spaniard failed to keep the Latics up in 2012/13, he still defied all odds to win the FA Cup. That prompted Everton to come calling but he failed to live up to the high standards set by Moyes after impressing initially, with his time called after back-to-back 11th-place finishes.

Other options

If the club are to promote from within then it is first-team coach Robbie Stockdale who is considered the most likely candidate at 16/1. A contrasting option would be current USA boss Jurgen Klinsmann (18/1), who was heavily linked to the England post. Gary Neville, Manuel Pellegrini and recently departed PSG boss Laurent Blanc are all considered 20/1 chances, followed by a string of 33/1 shots in Eddie Howe, Michael O'Neill and Harry Redknapp.