PETER Beardsley refused to rule out a return to Bolton Wanderers today as he considered the next move of his long and distinguished career.

Currently on loan with promotion chasing Fulham and wanted by their Second Division rivals, Carlisle United, the former England star admits he is at the crossroads.

"I've got a year to run at Bolton, but I don't know what my future holds," said the former Newcastle, Liverpool and Everton star.

"I'm contracted to Fulham on loan until the end of the season or until the end of the play-offs and then we'll see.

"It sounds stupid, but if Bolton go down, they may consider me good enough to play in the First Division.

"They don't consider me good enough to play in the Premier League for them, but obviously the First Division is another kettle of fish."

Beardsley, who has been in the professional game since 1979, confirmed he would eventually like to try management.

"I'm going to give management a go," he said. "Clearly, it depends if the chance comes along, but if it does, then I'd certainly take it.

"I might be a total disaster but I've always done what comes along. I've rarely passed up an opportunity I've been offered."

Beardsley, who made just 14 Premiership starts for Wanderers following his £500,000 transfer from Newcastle last August, has been widely tipped for a return to his first club, Carlisle, as player-manager.

But Carlisle supremo, Michael Knighton, suggested his interest in the 37-year-old 'Legend' ended in December when he made an unsuccessful bid to buy him. Knighton revealed in the programme for last night's Carlisle v Grimsby game: "A written transfer bid was put to Bolton Wanderers on December 22 for the services of Peter Beardsley for a fee of £225,000.

"Unfortunately for all parties, an agreement could not be found to settle Peter's existing contract with Bolton and no further progress was made.

"We at the club, along with many fans, think Peter would be the ideal person to assist our cause but only at a price that is affordable and not bankruptable."

Colin Todd said negotiations never looked like reaching a successful conclusion because Knighton wanted to take Beardsley on trial before buying him.

"The player wouldn't even contemplate going there on a trial basis," the Wanderers boss explained.

"He (Knighton) could have turned round and said Peter wasn't right for them. If he was prepared to take him lock, stock and barrel from the start and not on trial with a view to a permanent deal, we'd have had a basis for negotiation.

"But all this happened four months ago. Nothing developed because Mr Knighton wasn't prepared to back his judgment."

WANDERERS Reserves, who have had two successive games postponed because of waterlogged pitches, return to action against Oldham Athletic at Leigh RMI's Hilton Park ground tonight (ko 7pm).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.