Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is interested in talking to Newcastle about the vacant manager's job.

There has been no contact between the club and the Swede's representatives in the wake of Glenn Roeder's departure. But agent Athole Still said his client would consider the St James' Park job.

Eriksson fared well in a phone poll of fans carried out by a Newcastle radio station, although he is not understood to figure high on chairman Freddy Shepherd's shortlist.

That list is topped by overwhelming favourite Sam Allardyce with Lyon manager Gerard Houllier today emerging as a surprise candidate.

Still said: "There has been no contact whatsoever, but if Newcastle were interested in Sven-Goran Eriksson, I am sure Sven-Goran Eriksson would be interested in talking to Newcastle."