Football: Platt on shortlist for Sheffield United job

DAVID PLATT has emerged as a surprise contender for the job of Sheffield United's player-manager.

The Arsenal and England midfielder will meet United's board this week for an interview and is on a final shortlist of a handful of candidates.

Platt has made no secret of his desire to break into management and the Gunners will let him leave for a nominal sum if he gets the job.

Platt has been invited to talk to United on Wednesday about the vacancy after caretaker Steve Thompson stepped down last week. However, he may have to be persuasive as United would prefer an experienced manager after missing out on promotion in the last two years.

Thompson is also on the shortlist and other contenders include the former Queen's Park Rangers manager Stewart Houston and one-time Oldham coach Neil Warnock.

Birmingham City skipper Steve Bruce is also on the wanted list, but has not yet been approached for an interview.

Norwich City want Sam Allardyce to be their new manager after interviewing 18 candidates for the post.

Allardyce's reputation is high after taking Notts County to the Third Division title and he has impressed the Norwich board in talks.

Now Allardyce will be offered the job of taking over from Mike Walker, although the deal will not be done until he agrees to the whole management team as Norwich would like Allardyce, previously coach at Preston and Blackpool to have Brian Hamilton as his assistant.

Hamilton coached neighbours Ipswich last season during their race for the promotion play-offs and the former Northern Ireland manager has also spoken to Norwich.