JLLOYD Samuel will be allowed to leave the Reebok should Newcastle follow up their interest in the Wanderers left-back.

There has been no official bid for the 29-year-old, despite reports that Wanderers have rejecetd a £1m offer, but there has been informal discussions between the two clubs.

Samuel fell out of favour after Owen Coyle took charge in January, playing just three games under the new manager.

And it is believed the Scot would not stand in his way should a firm offer come in for the former Aston Villa defender.

The Wanderers manager has made no secret of his desire to offload a handful of players as he looks to put his own mark on the club.

Samuel, along with the likes of Danny Shittu, Andy O’Brien, Nicky Hunt, Joey O’Brien, is thought to be among those, especially as he could walk away for nothing at the end of next season with only 12 months remaining on his current four-year deal.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is keen to take the Trinidad and Tobago international to St James’ Park as he tries to strengthen his squad for their return to the Premier League. But Wanderers will not let £1million-rated Samuel go on the cheap.

Coyle has already earmarked Real Madrid’s Marcos Alonso as his replacement, though Bolton face competition for Benfica and AEK Athens for the signature of the exciting Spain Under-19s international.

l Former Wanderers striker Mixu Paatelainen has been named the new manager of Kilmarnock.