WANDERERS chairman Phil Gartside revealed on Monday that manager Sam Allardyce has been rewarded with an improved five-year contract.

The news was announced on the eve of Allardyce's fifth anniversary at the club, which coincides with his 50th birthday on Tuesday and after taking the club to fourth in the Premiership table.

Gartside said: "We have agreed an improved contract. Sam won't be going anywhere.

"He's got a job he started five years ago and we always said it was a ten-year job.

"He said to me five years ago he wanted to retire from Bolton after 10 years when he was 55.

"I am sure he won't, but we are well on the way to reaching that 55.

"Then it is up to him to do what he wants in football, really."