JERMAINE Johnson could have earned himself a new lease of life at the Reebok.

The talented young midfielder has just returned from his latest international adventure with Jamaica with more goals as well as caps to his credit and with his Bolton bosses duly impressed.

Johnson made a stunning start to his Bolton career when he terrorised the Arsenal defence on his debut in the exciting 1-1 draw at Highbury last season. But he has struggled to live up to that quicksilver performance and has made only limited appearances in the first team squad.

"Jermaine has found it difficult," Wanderers' assistant manager Phil Brown said of the 22-year-old from the Tivoli Gardens club.

"He put himself on a pedestal last year and gave everybody the hope that he could be the next Ricardo Gardner. It may have been the cultural difference or the fact that he was older but Ricardo settled a lot quicker. Jermaine also had the problem that his family was back in Jamaica - there are all sorts of problems - but he's been through that and come out the other side.

"Every time he goes to Jamaica he seems to do well and I think there's still a player there.

"There's a chance we could turn him into a £2m-£3m player but there is a lot of work to do.'