SAM Allardyce has revealed that he is "90 per cent sure" that Michael Ricketts will still be a Bolton player after the transfer window closes on Friday.

The Wanderers' boss made it crystal clear that he wants to keep his top scorer at the Reebok despite the arrival of Salva Ballesta on loan from Valencia.

"I just want Michael to knuckle down," he said. "Because of the way things have panned out, I'm 90 per cent sure he'll be in our squad for the Birmingham game."

And for any clubs considering an 11th hour approach, he had this warning: "Anybody who would have the nerve to try and do it at the last minute would be foolish because that won't happen."

"If it doesn't suit me and this football club, he doesn't go. That's the bottom line.

"So, if they come in the final hour when there's no replacements to be had because time has elapsed, Michael will be here until the end of May and into next season."