Blackburn Rovers assistant boss Neil McDonald has revealed how he urged Bolton Wanderers to sign Chelsea striker Didier Drogba while he was with Marseille.

McDonald, who was working under Sam Allardyce at Bolton at the time, told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I first saw him when I went to watch Newcastle v Marseille in the UEFA Cup semi-finals (in 2004).

“As a young coach, you try to pick things up and I used to go and watch games all the time. I remember, that night he took the warm-up.

“He was going round and talking to everybody and I thought, ‘my goodness me, I can’t wait to see this player play’.

“He just took Newcastle apart on his own.

“I thought he was a fantastic player then and I think he’s a fantastic player now.

“On his day he is one of the best in the world.

“He’s a goalscorer, he’s strong, he’s good in air. He’s got the full package.

“I knew straight away he was a Premier League player. I put my report in with a double ‘A’ and recommended we sign him. We just couldn't afford to get him."