took over from Dick Advocaat, as the team was built around the goalscoring ability of Defoe and the forward duly obliged, by grabbing an impressive 15 league goals to help Sunderland perform their annual escape act.

This season has seen yet another managerial change on Wearside and of course the perennial relegation candidates find themselves in yet another fight for survival. David Moyes seems to have been on the verge of the sack virtually every week, but has still kept his side in touch of 17th placed Crystal Palace, who ironically are now managed by Allardyce.

The former England manager is now reportedly ready to return to his former club to steal the services of Defoe. The 34-year-old has already been the subject of a £6m bid from West Ham,who were subsequently told by Sunderland that he was not for sale 'at any price'.

Moyes recently admitted that Defoe was too ​important to sell and perhaps suggested that even he would be unable to navigate the team to safety without his main-man.

Sunderland's reliance on their top scorer is underlined by his goal tally so far this season. Defoe has found the net 11 times in 20 league appearances, whilst the rest of his teammates have a combined effort of just seven (excluding a Robert Huth own goal).

To call him important to the Black Cats' cause may be something of an understatement and the paltry £6m offered by West Ham really does not do his recent performances any justice.

The striker's current goal haul sees him sat in fourth on