KEVIN KEEGAN has told Bolton boss Sam Allardyce to shut up and stop offering him advice.

He is unimpressed by Allardyce's claims he could change his mind about quitting as Manchester City manager in 2006 if the Blues do well next season.

The pair meet on Monday night at the City of Manchester Stadium and Keegan said: "Sam Allardyce doesn't know me. I've never had a drink with him and I've never spent 10 minutes of time with him.

"I would not try and predict what he's going to do because I don't know him well and I don't think Sam should predict what I'm going to do.

"I'm sure he meant it in a nice way, but I can assure you that I won't be staying on beyond that and people who really know me, will know that."

City can close to within a point of UEFA Cup-chasing Bolton if they win, but Keegan feels Europe is beyond his side. The Blues are missing seven players, including Shaun Wright-Phillips for up to two months with a knee injury, and he added: "Because of the depleted squad it's difficult for us to talk about the top six or seven.

"A more realistic challenge would be to reach ninth place or higher, which would be the best we have ever done while I have been at the club."