McClaren did not appear for the post-match press interviews, but Allardyce did, and he said: "I'm going to be disappointed."

Asked who he thought would get the England job in succession to Sven-Goran Eriksson, he replied: "Steve McClaren.

"I've had nothing [from the FA] but you get the sense and the feeling.

"The media have been going that way day-by-day and in the end you think that that is going to be the case.

"It isn't official yet but I'd expect that will probably be the selection tomorrow [Thursday]."

Allardyce has wasted no opportunity to state his wish to become England manager, but with McClaren favourite to get the nod instead of him, he said: "Without any question of a doubt it will be one of the biggest disappointments of my life."

McClaren has worked closely as one of Eriksson's assistants and, and Swede - who stands down after the World Cup - said of him: "He's extremely good. As a coach, perfect every time.

"Every time we are together, after dinner, all the coaches sit and discuss football for one or two hours - what we are going to do tomorrow, the next squad or the next team.

"Everyone has their opinion. Because when I took this job I said I don't want to have people around me who just say 'yes'.

"I want people to have opinions... and he's clever."

Eriksson did not anticipate any problem with having his possible successor sitting next to him in the dug-out during the World Cup.

"If that happened of course it would be OK," added Eriksson.

The FA insisted they would make a decision before the finals in Germany, and have moved quickly following the embarrassment of being rejected by Luiz Felipe Scolari last week.

McClaren sent his assistant Steve Round out to face the media after the draw at Bolton.

"Steve has not said anything to us," said Round.

"As far as I am aware he will be in for training on Thursday and preparing for Sunday's match against Fulham and the UEFA Cup Final next Wednesday."