SAM Allardyce has revealed how the signing of Ivory Coast defender Abdoulaye Meite gave him the scope to cash in on Radhi Jaidi.

The giant Tunisian, nicknamed The Beast, was re-united with his former Bolton sidekick, Bruno N'Gotty, on Tuesday, when he joined Birmingham City in a £2 million deal, seemingly leaving the Whites short-handed in the defensive department.

But Allardyce believes he has adequate cover at centre-back with Meite joining Tal Ben Haim and Abdoulaye Faye on his list of options even if he doesn't land 29-year-old Italian defender, Lorenzo Stovini, who has arrived in Bolton in the hope of securing a three-year deal.

Although delighted with Jaidi's performances in his first campaign, after joining Wanderers from Esperance, his dip in form in his second season suggested he was struggling to cope with the pressures of top-flight football.

"I think Radhi's impact into the Premiership in the first year was quite outstanding," Allardyce said.

"It came as quite a surprise that he actually achieved the level that needs to be achieved in the Premiership and then managed to sustain it.

"But I think year two caught up with him and he levelled out. It became a little bit more of a struggle with the pressures of the Premiership, the UEFA Cup and domestic competitions, week in and week out.

"When it's your first season in the Premiership and you've fulfilled your childhood dream, the adrenalin gets you through. But the reality kicks in in the second season.

"That caused me to look in the market and I found what I consider one of the most experienced centre-halves in Europe in Abdoulaye Meite. We went about that task, having tried to sign him two years ago, and we finally got to a figure that suited us and him."

Allardyce sees Meite as the new power player in his defence.

"He is only 25 but is a player with Champions League, UEFA Cup and French league experience and his arrival gave me the opportunity to cash in on Radhi," he told Wanderers TV.

"Abdoulaye Faye moving to the back last year showed what a force he could be. With him, Abdoulaye Meite and Tal Ben Haim, I have three very good and very comfortable centre-halves and that has allowed me to let Radhi go and use the money somewhere else."

Allardyce, who is understood to have cooled in his interest in former Leeds and Newcastle centre-back Jonathan Woodgate, who is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, is confident he can strike a deal with Stovini. The Italian has extensive Serie A experience with Roma and Reggina and is a free agent after leaving relegated Lecce at the end of last season.

"Talks are ongoing and I'm hopeful a deal can be concluded later this week," the manager said. "He is very experienced and should add more depth to the squad."

Wanderers, meanwhile, have refused to comment on speculation claiming they have lined up a £2 million deal with Tottenham for Danny Murphy, who moved to White Hart Lane from Charlton in January. The former Crewe, Liverpool and England international has started only two games for Spurs.