Allardyce may end Rivaldo interest

BOLTON boss Sam Allardyce will end his interest in Rivaldo if the Brazilian star does not state his intentions in the next few days.

Rivaldo has returned to Brazil to think over an offer from Bolton but Allardyce has said he is frustrated that the former World Player of the Year has yet to make a decision.

Allardyce said: "I'm disappointed that we haven't got a decision one way or the other but that also means there is still hope.

"If there is not a positive move in a few days then we'd have to call time on it because it might suggest that our offer is being touted about to see if it could be bettered elsewhere. We don't want to work like that.

"We will have a cut-off time that will be considered as more than enough time for him to make a decision. That will then be it and we'll move on."

Rivaldo, the former Barcelona midfielder, is currently a free agent after quitting AC Milan in December.

His English-based agent Peter Harrison said: "I am right behind Sam on this. Rivaldo is looking at the offer positively but I can't make the decision for him and he is speaking to his family first before deciding what to do."

Meanwhile, Emerson Thome is a doubt for Bolton's match against Leeds on Sunday with a knee injury but neither Florent Laville nor Ricardo Gardner will be risked despite the pair coming through a reserve match on Monday unscathed.

Gardner, who has recovered from a cruciate ligament injury, hopes to return before the end of the season.

The Jamaican said: "It's a great feeling to be back playing but it was hard work. Even 45 minutes was hard. I'm not fit to last a full 90 minutes yet, but I'm getting there.

"There are no reserve games left now, so I've just got to train hard. I hope I can get back into the first team before the end of the season. I just have to keep on working; in the end it's up to the manager."