EL Hadji Diouf is on his way out of the Reebok Stadium to the North East.

Kevin Keegan's Newcastle had emerged as surprise bidders for the Senegal international.

But the former African Footballer of the Year is close to joining Roy Keane at Sunderland.

Diouf, who only returned to pre-season training with Wanderers last Tuesday, didn't play in Bolton's friendlies at Rochdale on Friday or Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Macclesfield.

It's believed he was at the Stadium of Light for a medical before completing his move later this week.

The former Liverpool striker has been with Bolton for four seasons and still has 12 months left on his current contract.

Diouf claims he wants a fresh challenge and insisted Italian and Spanish sides were interested in signing him.

Sunderland are thought to have offered £2.5m for the maverick but talented player.

Meanwhile, forgotten man Blerim Dzemaili is desperate to kick-start his Bolton career after a punishing weekend of action.

The Swiss international, who has been linked with a move back to his old club FC Zurich, played 90 minutes in a Wanderers' side full of fringe players.

And that followed a run-out for the 22-year-old in Friday night's goalless draw at Rochdale.

Dzemaili - signed on a free by Sam Allardyce ahead of last summer - was struck by a cruciate knee injury that has restricted him to just one substitute appearance in the FA Cup.

The Macedonian-born midfielder said: "I think I need that to get back in action after a year out and I was happy with my performance.

"It was hard but I need time on the pitch so I didn't mind playing in both games. It's been frustrating since I came - with the injury - but now I just need to get back in the Bolton side."

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