Sam Allardyce believes the Everton job is the biggest of his career.

Allardyce insists the Everton job represents his greatest opportunity in club management.

“There is no doubt about that, with the history and passion of this football club," said Allardyce. “My old mates who played here told me about the fantastic time they had under Howard Kendall… but to try to replicate what those lads did will be much more difficult than it was then.

“But you have to aspire to the highest possible level you can achieve. At this moment, it is to finish in the top half but, eventually, it should be to aim higher.

“It is great to see all these managers again and be back among them. I have known nearly all of them for quite a while. When we come across each other, it is about how can we plan to beat you, and for them it is about how they can beat us.

“That is how we challenge each other as managers, coaches and backroom staff.

“It will be interesting on Wednesday night – how much better can we be in possession to get to Newcastle's defence, which conceded three goals in their last game?

“That will be one of our main aims, without losing our defensive responsibility in transition."