Leyton Orient boss Ian Hendon has backed Sam Allardyce to prove a success after taking the Sunderland job.

Hendon worked with Allardyce as development coach and then first-team coach at West Ham United and expects him to get his new club out of relegation trouble.

The Orient boss said: “I think it’s a great appointment. His record speaks for itself. He’s not been relegated from the Premier League. It’s going to be a tough job but I’m sure he definitely knows that.

“He’s got the experience and the know how. I’m sure he’ll go in there and stabilise them and get them climbing the league.”

Hendon was asked on Saturday if there had been any contact over the possibility of joining Allardyce’s coaching staff at the Premier League club.

He replied: “I speak to Sam and have been to lunch a few times since he’s been on his break. But I’ve had no contact with him since he’s got the job. I’m concentrating on the job I’m doing here.”