Allardyce's phone confiscated by wife

(PA)

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has had his mobile telephone confiscated by his wife to prevent him ringing his stand-in during matches while he prepares for heart surgery.

"Sam and I have been keeping in touch and he'll pick the team and sort out the tactics again," assistant manager Neil McDonald told the Sun newspaper ahead of Blackburn's Premier League game at Fulham on Wednesday.

"We'll talk just before the game and after it - but he won't be able to speak to me during the match. His wife confiscated his phone on Sunday. She will do the same this time probably."

Allardyce missed Blackburn's 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday and is also expected to be absent for Saturday's home game against Stoke City.