SAM Allardyce has been given an assurance that he will not have to sell players this summer, unless he wants to.

The Reebok boss can wheel and deal as he sees fit in preparation for a second successive season of Premiership fooWanderers have had to sell tball.

But there will be no pressure from the boardroom to sell anyone - including top scorer Michael Ricketts.

Prudence remains the watchword and there will be no transfer treasure chest but Wanderers' chairman Phil Gartside has given his manager a budget and will leave him free to balance his own books.

"It's the manager's decision to buy and sell players," the Bolton chief confirmed. "Sam's job is much more than just that of the football coach. He has a budget and has a balancing act to do with all football related costs - the playing staff, the backroom team, salaries, overheads - but at least this season he does not have to sell players.

"That does not mean players will not be sold. If offers come in, Sam will consider them and make a decision on business and football grounds but we are under no pressure at all to sell.

"If he wants to trade then it is up to him and he knows that, whatever money is brought in will be available to him to spend on players."

Past seasons have seen successive managers forced to sell prized assets, purely for financial reasons, with the likes of Per Frandsen, Claus Jensen, Mark Fish, and Eidur Gudjohnsen being off-loaded in recent years. But, although in debt to the tune of around £34 million, Wanderers have benefited greatly from Premiership funds - £16 million a season - and have stabilised their position with good housekeeping.

That has not stopped the rumour mongers suggesting Ricketts will be on his way in a big money move during the close-season with West Ham touted as favourites to make an offer Allardyce will find hard to refuse.

The gossip is a constant annoyance to Wanderers' chiefs.

"Contrary to what some people would have you believe, we are not courting offers for Michael," Mr Gartside said, "and the sooner all this speculation stops, the better. It's doing nobody any good."