WORLD Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff could still be on his way to the Reebok.

After days of wrangling, Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce is understood to be close to securing the services of the 33-year-old French attacking midfield star on loan for the rest of the season.

The deal - arguably the most ambitious in the club's history - is in the balance because of the player's wage demands.

But talks with Djorkaeff, currently out of favour with German club Kaiserslautern, are understood to have gone well and one of the most respected players in world football, capped 75 times by his country, could complete his switch before Wanderers resume their Premiership survival mission at Southampton on Saturday week.

Allardyce is having to do some hard bargaining with the French World Cup winner and with his own board of directors but, despite having been some way apart in what he could offer and what the player originally wanted, a compromise could be reached. "We are still having a chat about it but, at the moment, nothing is finalised," was all Allardyce was prepared to say.

Djorkaeff, who played a major role in the 1998 World Cup win and the European Championship success two years later, is not getting regular football at Kaiserslautern and has lost his place in the international squad.

With the European transfer windows closed , the 33-year-old sees a move to the Premiership as the only way of forcing his way back into the squad for the World Cup Finals. And, although there were claims of other clubs being interested - notably Liverpool - it appears he may be willing to accept the Reebok offer. Reid hitch WANDERERS have shelved plans to sign Aussie midfielder Paul Reid for the time being. He impressed on a recent trial but may have to wait until summer to secure his move.