Allardyce has strongly denied allegations made in Tuesday's Panorama programme that he had received payments from agents as part of player transfers to the Premier League club.

His agent son Craig was also accused by programme makers of receiving secret payments as part of two transfers to Bolton. He denies any wrongdoing in his deals or his relationship with the club. "Myself, and the family are fine now," Sam Allardyce told reporters. "We are moving forward and you have to do that when you stand in the position I stand in.

"The distraction from football has not been too bad because I have a large back room staff to help me.

"I have had a tremendous level of support from people, but now we must move on. I have to get on with my job."

All of those accused of corruption or rule-breaking by Tuesday's programme have denied any wrongdoing, with several saying they are either considering or taking legal action against the BBC.

Allardyce has said his lawyers have been instructed to take "appropriate action."