Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has issued a hands-off warning to Newcastle over Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce.

Speculation has been rife that Magpies manager Graeme Souness could soon be on his way out of St James' Park and Allardyce has been linked as a possible replacement.

However, Gartside told The Mail on Sunday: "I've already decided that if (Newcastle chairman) Freddy Shepherd wanted to talk to Sam about the Newcastle job he would be denied permission to do so.

"I've explained my thinking to Sam and I've already told him that he wouldn't be allowed to speak to Newcastle at the moment under any circumstances.

"He accepted my decision and he is fully committed to Bolton Wanderers.

"The only way I would be prepared to consider allowing Sam to leave the club - and he has three years left on his contract - is if the England job came up."