West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is calm over his status going into the Premier League.

Allardyce, who arrived at the club last year, is out of contract next summer but is in no hurry to put pen to paper on a new deal.

The 57-year-old said: "I don't need the security of a contract to work in this game as far as I'm concerned. I'm my own man now. Somewhere down the line in the middle of next year, maybe, but not now."

Hammers co-owner David Gold is also happy for Allardyce to continue on his current contract when the new season gets underway.

"There are no talks planned but Sam's our manager for the foreseeable future," he said.

"It's not an issue. It's not like we've lost eight games in a row. He's won us promotion and he's a hero. There's no pressure, he's got a great contract."