ISIAH Rankin has set his sights on turning his temporary transfer to the Reebok into a permanent stay.

The London-born striker, who joined Wanderers on loan from Bradford City in an 11th hour loan deal, made an impressive start in Saturday's derby draw with Burnley.

He is convinced his Bradford days are numbered and he is looking no further than Bolton as he considers his long-term future.

"I think I could be leaving Bradford soon," Rankin admitted, "They've signed Benito Carbone and Ashley Ward is supposedly on his way there so the majority of strikers who are there should be listening to offers from other clubs."

City chairman Geoffrey Richmond is pushing the boat out at Valley Parade in a bid to help the unfashionable Yorkshire club maintain Premiership status and Wanderers have profited from the Bantams' largesse, securing the services of the former Arsenal striker - a club record £1.3 million buy two years ago - for three months.

It's eased Sam Allardyce's manpower problems, given Wanderers a chance to try before they buy and put Rankin in the shop window.

"I did well last year when I went to Birmingham on loan," he recalls of the two month stint which delivered four goals, "but nothing came of it. I'm just here to play games, fit in with the boys and help Bolton get as far as they can. Whatever happens happens but I would be interested in anything Bolton have to offer because they are a big club with beautiful facilities and I need to be playing first team football at this time in my career.

"At Bradford I was playing in the reserves and that didn't really mean anything. Sometimes you play well, sometimes you just go through the motions.

"You need a big stage like this to just show people you can still do it."If everything could be worked out I'd be interested (in a permanent deal) but what happens these days is a lot of people get involved. One minute it's on, then it's off, so I don't really know what will happen.

"I've got to hust get on with playing football."

Allardyce says it is too soon to be making assessments of either Rankin or Ian Marshall, the veteran striker-cum-central defender who joined Wanderers on a non-contract basis on Friday and made a cameo appearance as substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw - almost grabbing a late winner!

But the Wanderers boss was happy with their contributions on a day when both sides were happy to settle for a point.

"To make a decision after one game would be silly," he said, "but they've got one or two months to settle in here. We'll make decisions after that but, in Isiah's case, there is the possibility of a long-term move if things can be worked out. If the price was right we'd probably try to do something but at the moment he's a great acquisition to help us out in these lean times when Bo Hansen is the only fit striker we have.

"I was pleased with his performance though. Considering he only turned up at 1 o'clock he did exceptionally well. He showed genuine pace and some good hold-up play but the service to him diminished in the second half.

"He's in the shadows at Bradford but he's going to get some first team football here and that's got to be better than playing in somebody's reserves."

Rankin, whose pace and power won the penalty which Per Frandsen converted to put Wanderers ahead on 27 minutes, has been given three days 'compassionate' leave to spend time in London with his six-month old daughter, who is ill.

"That was why the deal was on and off on Friday," he explained. "I really wanted to get back home and see her. But the manager said I could have some time off to be with her this week."