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LONDON. — Sam Allardyce is considering a shock international recall for John Terry as he plots to make a winning start to his reign as England manager.

While that’s a nod to the past, Allardyce also focused firmly on the future by hinting he is ready to promote John Stones — who didn’t play a single minute during Euro 2016 — as one of his back-four regulars following his English-record £47.5m move to Manchester City.

Terry, now 35, hasn’t played for England since September 2012 when he announced his international retirement, claiming his position was “untenable” following a misconduct charge from the FA for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand despite a court having already cleared him of the offence.

Now Allardyce is ready to clear the way with FA officials and call Terry to see if he is prepared to return to the international fold.

“I don’t know what the political side of that might mean – if there is a political side,” he said, “I’ll have to have that conversation if I feel that John Terry may be a possibility.

“Is he a possibility? Maybe so. I think it depends on what John said. Maybe if I get the opportunity, I might have to give him a ring. But until I come to that selection or that process, we’ll wait and see.”

Terry won the last of his 78 caps in a World Cup qualifier against Moldova in September 2012 but despite his advancing years he is still regarded as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League, and has started both of Chelsea’s game this season.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is unlikely to welcome the prospect of an England return for his captain because Terry himself admits that quitting international football has helped him extend his club career. But being the great patriot he is, Terry might not be able to resist the call if it comes.

While his recall remains only a possibility at this stage, Allarydce appears more certain that Stones, 23, is ready to step up to international level after his move to work with master coach Pep Guardiola.

He believes Stones can develop along the same lines as Gerard Pique, who left Manchester United for Barcelona with question marks whether he was good enough and developed into one of the world’s best defenders thanks in part to Guardiola’s tutelage.

“We don’t want potential, do we?” said Allardyce. “Potential is something that’s going to be great in the future. I want it right now and John’s got a great chance of becoming ‘right now’ by working with Manchester City.

“With all due respect to Everton, he has got to get to a [higher] level with City because people don’t realise that Pep does focus a lot on defending, not just wining the ball back.

“Gerard Pique was a little similar [to Stones] at Manchester United until he went to Barcelona. Then he became a good defender as well as a great attribute for Barcelona in possession. So he had both. That’s why he stayed there for so long.”

Allardyce also made it clear Wayne Rooney remains firmly in his plans both as a player and as captain, although he will confirm the latter early next week after naming his first squad on Sunday. — The Daily Express.