West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has insisted that he wants to stay at the club beyond this season.

The 60-year-old has been linked with the permanent Sunderland job this week as doubts over his own future continue to grow.

The hierarchy at West Ham do not intend to discuss Allardyce's future until the season comes to an end, but the man himself has expressed a desire to stay put.

In his column for the London Evening Standard, Allardyce wrote: "At the last count I believe I've been linked with three jobs this week - Sunderland, QPR and Nigeria!

"I understand why the speculation is there, of course I do. Everyone knows my contract with the club expires at the end of June and, as yet, nothing further has been decided.

"I would stress that, providing everyone is happy, I would like to stay at West Ham. They are a great club, moving in the right direction and a lot is now in place for sustained improvement."

Allardyce has been at West Ham since 2011.