Bolton Wanderers want to keep hold of Ricardo Gardner.
The Bolton News says Sam Allardyce has made a late bid to talk Ricardo Gardner out of signing a new one-year deal with Wanderers.
After securing the services of two former Reebok favourites, Kevin Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye, Big Sam is hoping to make it a hat-trick by offering the long-serving Jamaican a longer contract, plus the lure of guaranteed first-team football at Upton Park.
It is understood the 32-year-old utility man, who suffered a succession of injury problems last season, was ready to re-sign on reduced terms and extend his tenure with Wanderers into a 14th year.
But with Owen Coyle looking to add more competition to his defensive and midfield ranks this summer - potentially further restricting Gardner's opportunities - Allardyce is hoping the lure of a more regular starting place could convince his former charge to drop down a division and help his promotion push next term.
