Allardyce straight into competitive action with England

The former Sunderland manager has been appointed as Roy Hodgson's successor at Wembley, and will kick off his reign with the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia Sam Allardyce's first match as England manager will be the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in Trnava, the Football Association has confirmed. The FA had initially planned to arrange a friendly for September 1 at Wembley but this period will now be incorporated into an extended training camp for Allardyce and his new squad.