Allardyce was asked about the possibility of England boss Roy Hodgson recalling Andy Carroll for his squad to go to the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
“I think Andy is a fantastic alternative in so much as you can change from the plan that you’ve got, whether you start with him or bring him off the bench. I’m not talking about pumping the ball up to his head. I don’t put him on to just win headers but to control the ball with his chest and feet and bring other people into play.
“You saw on Saturday what he can do inside and outside the box. If he stays fit, he’s got it in his own hands and if he does as well as he did last season, Roy can’t ignore him.”