Sam Allardyce expects full backing from Sunderland owner Ellis Short in the transfer market.

Allardyce has been warned that Dick Advocaat walked out of the Stadium of Light because the club's transfer policy is like “a visit to Poundland".

Big Sam has been told by owner Ellis Short that money can be spent on the team during the January transfer window.

A source close to Advocaat told the Sunday Mirror: “Dick was promised big players – but, instead, he was left with bargains from ­Poundland."