West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has dismissed suggestions of a move to Sunderland as “pure speculation” amid rumours Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is set to replace him at Upton Park.

The Hammers were fourth in the Premier League at Christmas but have since won just twice.

And the club are understood to be assessing potential replacements ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium next summer. Allardyce is out of contract this summer.

Dick Advocaat signed a contract with Sunderland until the end of the season, following the sacking of Gus Poyet, yet owner Ellis Short may opt to replace the Dutchman when that deal ends.

And it appears Allardyce, who made 25 appearances for Sunderland as a player, would be the ideal replacement for the experienced Advocaat. 

He joins Real Madrid assistant manager Paul Clement and Sunderland number two Charlie Oatway in the list of candidates tipped to take over at the Stadium of Light should Advocaat leave.

But Allardyce rejected the speculation, telling the Chronicle: “I’m West Ham manager and I’m contracted to West Ham and don’t expect anything other than somewhere along the line to be talking about a contract here.

“There is only one thing that needs to be sorted out here and that is me sitting down with the owners when they are ready to talk about me being at West Ham and nowhere else.”

Cherries boss Howe, his potential replacement, could tonight win promotion to the top flight as his Bournemouth side host Bolton Wanderers.

Barring a substantial swing in goal difference, victory will see the Cherries join Watford in the top flight for what would be the first time in their history.

Howe, 28, has said he would like to stay with the club whatever happens over the coming weeks, but this has not quelled the interest of several Premier League clubs including the Hammers.

Other candidates for the Allardyce’s job include former Manchester United boss David Moyes and former Liverpool and Chelsea man Rafa Benitez.