Allardyce not interested in Newcastle revenge

Sam Allardyce is determined to end West Ham’s season with a win over Newcastle United, but he insists he is not motivated by the chance to relegate his former club from the Premier League.

Sacked by Newcastle in 2008, it has been suggested that Allardyce’s latest return to Tyneside could see him lead West Ham for the final time, with his contract expiring in June.

But Allardyce only has West Ham’s best interests at heart at St James’ Park.

“It’s not about what happens to Newcastle for me. Some have suggested that I’m all up for us winning to send them down, but it’s far too far down the road for any of that stuff,” Allardyce said.

“It’s been a long time since we parted company and looking back to the past is never what I’ve been about because you can’t affect what happens in the past. You learn from it and move on to the future.

“Since Newcastle I’ve had a fantastic time at Blackburn and then here, at West Ham. It’s nearly seven years since I left Newcastle.

“I’m up for winning on Sunday for West Ham because that’s where I work and we want to finish with the 50 points we targeted at the start of the season. Hopefully we can achieve that goal.

“We’re all disappointed that we haven’t achieved more than we have done.

“We could have had a great season and matched, with a bit more luck, the best season West Ham have had.

“That was fifth, which would be very difficult in the current climate, but we did have the chance after Christmas. We haven’t achieved the results our performances deserve.”