SAM Allardyce stepped up his search for a new full-back today as Barnsley resigned themselves to losing Nicky Eaden for nothing after baulking on his proposed transfer to Bolton Wanderers. The Reebok boss has switched his sights to one of the alternatives he already had lined up before the £500,000 Eaden deal fell through.

He is understood to be exploring avenues at home and abroad in a bid to have a new recruit in place for Sunday's game at Sheffield United.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old right back is still refusing to sign a new Oakwell deal.

Barnsley boss Dave Bassett effectively blocked the transfer, which was due to be completed this week, when he said he could not consider letting the player leave until at least the end of the month.

Eaden says he is happy to see out his contract with the South Yorkshire club, which he joined as a trainee, but he remains open minded about his long term future. "There was an offer on the table, even before Bolton came in," the Sheffield-born defender revealed, "but I said to Barnsley it wasn't satisfactory.

"At the moment I'm happy to stay here because we're fourth in the league at the moment, we're playing all right and we look as if we're going to have a good season."

Though confessing that it would be a wrench to leave the Tykes, Eaden has left his Oakwell bosses with the impression that he is prepared to fall out of contract next spring, when he will be available on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

"It would be very difficult to leave," he confessed, "I've been thinking about it all over the weekend. But it's all just ifs and buts at the moment."

Wanderers Reserves will be looking for their first win in seven games when they take on Liverpool at the Reebok tonight (ko 7pm).

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