Allardyce believes he is the right man for the England job

He said: "I have been disappointed once and I thought it was all over when Scolari was offered the job.

"But it has all turned around and it appears I am back in the frame.

"I am more than keen - it is my dream job. I am in with a shout and I am hopeful, but until I get a phone call I will not know one way or another."

Allardyce believes he is the right man to succeed current England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson after this summer's World Cup finals.

I am right for it at this moment in time and I would love the England job more than anything else in the world Bolton boss Sam Allardyce

When asked if his only rival for the post is now Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren, Allardyce answered: "I am not quite sure but it appears that way.

He added: "I am an Englishman and I am passionate.

"I am very good at what I do and I believe I would be very good at doing the England job, particularly at this stage of my life.

"I think I am right for it at this moment in time and I would love the England job more than anything else in the world."

Allardyce was speaking after his side's 1-0 defeat by Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

He felt his side should have had a penalty when Michael Dawson tried to tackle Stelios Giannakopoulos inside the area but failed to get the ball.

"I think, without question, it should have been a penalty," said Allardyce. "You are not allowed to tackle from behind and not only has he tackled from behind, he has not touched the ball at all.

"You can see Alan Wiley put the whistle to his mouth then doesn't blow. The cost of that to us is horrendous.