Sam snaps up loan star (From The Bolton News)

Sam snaps up loan star

SAM Allardyce wrapped up his first signing since becoming manager of Bolton Wanderers today then switched his sights to Europe in pursuit of his second.

The Reebok boss strengthened his midfield ranks when he snapped up Everton's transfer-listed midfielder, Gareth Farrelly, on a month's loan from with a view to a permanent transfer.

Kickstart

But he continues to be frustrated in his search for a right-back to replace former skipper Neil Cox and admits high prices on the home market could force him to go continental.

"It's an ongoing thing," Allardyce confirmed as he explored his list of options after pulling out of a proposed £500,000 deal with Barnsley for Nicky Eaden earlier this week, "but I'm swaying more towards the European market.

"It's an accepted fact that the fees you have to pay for players over here are far greater than they are over there. That's what I'm having to consider."

Meanwhile, he is offering Farrelly - the Evertonian who scored the goal that knocked Wanderers out of the Premiership in May 1998 - a chance to kickstart his career.

The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder scored his one and only League goal for Everton in the 1-1 draw with Coventry on the last day of the 97-98 season - a result that kept Howard Kendall's Blues in the top flight on goal difference, at Wanderers' expense.

Allardyce hinted that his new signing, who is valued at £500,000 by Kendall's successor Walter Smith, may not go straight into the Bolton midfield at Sheffield United on Sunday. But he confirmed he could be looking to make the temporary deal into a permanent one in a month's time.

"We'll see how it goes," the Wanderers boss said. "I've looked at the size of our senior squad and it is very, very light in terms of players. I've taken the opportunity to bring in Gareth, who has had Premiership experience at Aston Villa and Everton.

Long term

"He hasn't played that many games and it would appear he's been frozen out at Everton, but he will increase the strength of the squad in the short term and I'm hoping it might lead to something long term.

"His career's been on the back burner recently so he should be coming in raring to go and hungry for football."

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