Allardyce Insists Ben Haim Will Stay

By Mark Heys
January 29 2007

Sam Allardyce has reiterated his desire to keep defender Tal Ben-Haim at Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season despite fresh speculation surrounding his future.

The Israeli defender was left out of the Bolton squad for their FA Cup draw with Arsenal yesterday prompting reports that Chelsea where about to make a fresh bid, but Allardyce says the 24-year old's absence from the team was down to an injury picked up in training.

"He failed a fitness test this morning (Sunday) on a calf injury which was disappointing - but if a player says he is injured then he cannot play." said Big Sam prior to yesterday's game against the Gunners

Ben-Haim has long been a transfer target for many clubs, more so since Bolton confirmed that their prized asset made a desire to move onto pastures new at the end of the campaign.

However, Allardyce has once again confirmed that it will take a sizeable bid for the Trotters to sell their star centre half earlier than expected as it leaves Wanderers with little time to find a replacement.

"If a bid comes in tomorrow, it will have to be a big one. It will cost a team much more now than three weeks ago because there is only two days left to get a replacement.

"We have no real defensive cover at the moment because of injuries, so Tal is important for us. Certainly at the prices being speculated at the moment, there is no way he will go." added Allardyce