GLENN Roeder could spend the summer agonising over the one that got away if Wanderers beat West Ham in the Premiership survival race.

For while Sam Allardyce is hailing Florent Laville as the man who has tightened up his defence, the Hammers boss is left to rue the decision to reject the Frenchman.

Laville, who has lived up to his nickname as the Rock of Lyon since coming to the Reebok on loan, is just delighted to be answering his critics.

"I had chances to leave Lyon before going to Bolton but people kept saying bad things about me," he explained.

"West Ham had the opportunity to sign me but they did not take up the chance. I feel now that I have proved my doubters wrong and that I am not finished."

Laville was starting to regret his decision to stay so long at Lyon - his only professional club - as he struggled to get regain his place after recovering from a knee injury. Brazilian international Edmilson took over and, having been captain for five of his nine seasons there, he found himself on the sidelines.

"People doubted me with some saying that my career was over," he said, reflecting on the difficult days before Allardyce signed him without having seen him play.

"My situation at Lyon was difficult as I was being kept out for World Cup winner Edmilson.

"He is a very good player but maybe I stayed too long at Lyon and should have left earlier."

Laville has been a revelation since Allardyce threw him in at the deep end against Manchester United and kept him in at Liverpool. Potentially it was a baptism of fire but the 29-year-old took the pressures of the Premiership in his confident stride and his performances in the victories over Sunderland and Spurs served to confirm that, whetever his problems, he is still a top class centre-back.

Whether he stays at the Reebok or returns to Lyon at the end of the season will depend on his performances in the remaining seven games as well as whether Wanderers and Lyon can come to a suitable accommodation - presumably nowhere near the £1.5 million the tabloids have been speculating on. Whatever the future holds, Laville is committed to the survival cause.

"I am happy at Bolton and I would like to stay," he added. "I want to do all I can to help them stay up as I want to repay them for taking a chance on me."