SAM Allardyce may be pre-occupied with whether Rivaldo will join Bolton but another Brazilian is providing a different kind of headache for the Wanderers boss.

Central defender Emerson Thome is struggling to overcome a knee injury ahead of Leeds' visit to the Reebok stadium on Sunday.

With Allardyce pursuing a top-10 finish in the Premiership, Thome would be sorely missed and although Florent Laville did play for the reserves on Monday the Leeds match will come too soon for the Frenchman as he prepares to return from his long-term absence.

Ricardo Gardner will not be risked either after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.

The Jamaican said: "It's a great feeling to be back playing but it was hard work. Even 45 minutes was hard. I'm not fit to last a full 90 minutes yet, but I'm getting there.

"There are no reserve games left now, so I've just got to train hard. I hope I can get back into the first team before the end of the season. I just have to keep on working; in the end it's up to the manager."

Rivaldo deadline

Meanwhile, Allardyce will end his interest in Rivaldo if the Brazilian star does not state his intentions within the next few days.

Rivaldo has returned to Brazil to think over an offer from Bolton but Allardyce has admitted he is frustrated that the former World Player of the Year has yet to make a decision.

Allardyce said: "I'm disappointed that we haven't got a decision one way or the other but that also means there's still hope.

"If there's not a positive move in a few days then we'd have to call time on it because it might suggest that our offer is being touted about to see if it could be bettered elsewhere. We don't want to work like that.

"We will have a cut-off time that will be considered as more than enough time for him to make a decision. That will then be it and we'll move on."

Latest Form
Bolton: WWWDL
Leeds: LLDWW

Head to head
Nov 22, 2003: Leeds 0 Bolton 2
Dec 16, 2002: Bolton 0 Leeds 3
Nov 17, 2002: Leeds 2 Bolton 4

Top Scorers
Bolton: Nolan 11, Davies 10, Pedersen 9
Leeds: Viduka 11, Smith 8, Milner 5

Key Opponent
Alan Smith: Will run to the end even though he looks certain to leave the club he loves.

Referee
Steve Bennett (Kent): Will let a game run if possible

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