Southend United boss Phil Brown has cooled talk of a move to Sunderland.

Brown has been linked with Sunderland after the appointment of Sam Allardyce as new manager. The pair worked together at Bolton Wanderers.

Brown led the Shrimpers to a hard-fought 1-0 win against Port Vale at Roots Hall on Saturday and afterwards insisted he remains focused on his current role, saying he has no plans to team up with his close friend Sam Allardyce at the Stadium of Light.

"We showed today there was nobody stepping away from their jobs, including me," said Brown.

"Yes there will be speculation and it's flattering, especially as Sunderland are my home-town team who I grew up supporting.

"But I'm Southend United manager, end of story."