Allardyce Admits Defeat In Dunn Chase

By Mark Heys
January 17 2007

Sam Allardyce has resigned himself to the fact that he will lose out on the signature of Birmingham City midfielder David Dunn.

The 27-year old looked all set to complete a move to the Reebok Stadium yesterday after passing a medical but an eleventh hour bid from Dunn's boyhood club Blackburn Rovers appears to have scuppered any move to the Trotters.

Speaking to the official Bolton website Allardyce confirmed the news that most Wanderers fans expected when it became apparant that Rovers had lodged a counter bid.

"David (Dunn) will not be joining us. It is disappointing but when Blackburn came in for him he wanted to return to them. I still maintain we would have given him the best environment to resurrect his career, but if he doesn't want to come here there's nothing I can do. He is a Blackburn lad and he wants to go back there and play for his hometown team again."

In other news, the father of Bolton defender Tal Ben-Haim claims that his son has been in advanced talks with Premiership holders Chelsea and reports in the Daily Mail suggest that the Israel international could line up for the Blues in their game against Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.

Arsenal defender Lauren will not be replacing Ben-Haim at Bolton though as morning reports claim the Cameroon full back is keen to stay in the London area should he leave the Emirates Stadium this month.