SAM Allardyce admitted today that he could face stiff competition for the signatures of Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff.

But the Wanderers boss is hoping the good life at the Reebok will play a big part in persuading his two brightest stars to stay.

Celtic are believed to have offered Okocha the incentive of Champions League football while Qatar, the oil-rich Gulf state, are trying to entice Djorkaeff, who turns 36 next week, with one last bumper payday before he retires.

But Allardyce will not be panicked.

"I think Jay-Jay will have some options and it will come down to whether we are a better option," he said. "Only time will tell.

"It depends whether they (Celtic) can afford him. They don't go splashing their money about any more ... and does the Champions League outweigh the Premiership? I don't know ... you'd have to ask him."

Such are the financial implications that Allardyce is anxious to settle the Okocha issue, one way or another, before he negotiates with other members of his first team squad whose contracts are due for renewal. But he insists he is not making the Nigerian a special case.

"He is no different than Youri Djorkaeff, Bruno N'Gotty or anyone else," he said. "He's a good individual but, if you haven't got your workers, he can't produce his stuff."

Allardyce, who believes he may be priced out of a bid to sign French international Olivier Kapo, knows Djorkaeff is on Qatar's wanted list, but said confidently: "He wants to stay. He's enjoyed his time here.

Emerson Thome has admitted that his long-term future at Bolton is clouded in doubt.

He said: "My contract is up in the summer and I don't know where I am going. I could be staying with Bolton, I could be going back home or I could be going elsewhere."