Big Sam contemplates leaving Diouf out

BOLTON manager Sam Allardyce is considering leaving El-Hadji Diouf out of the team to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday because of a potentially volatile atmosphere.

Allardyce knows the striker faces a rough ride from the home supporters after what happened when the clubs met last November, when Diouf was caught on camera spitting at Portsmouth captain Arjan De Zeeuw.

Allardyce said: “I have a decision to consider regarding Diouf. “My thoughts are ‘will the intimidation be so great that it may cause a player to react the wrong way?’ If I think there is any threat whatsoever then I might have to make the decision where it is better he did not play.