GUDNI Bergsson has been guaranteed a new contract at the Reebok, if he wants it.

But, unlike in past years, his Wanderers' bosses will not be pressuring him to stay.

"This is Gudni's decision and we must respect that," chairman Phil Gartside explained, acknowledging the captain's dilemma as he considers retirement for the third successive summer.

"If Gudni Bergsson turns round and tells us he wants to stay, he knows he can stay. There is no question about that.

"But we know it's a huge decision for him, personally and professionally, so we are not going to put any pressure on him, like we have in the last two years. We're just going to leave him to make up his own mind. That's only fair."

Bergsson, who will be 37 in July, says he will make a decision on his future in the next couple of weeks.

A qualified lawyer, he has a new career waiting for him in his native Iceland, where his wife, Ella, and two children returned to live last year.

Fans and team-mates, impressed by the influential defender's impressive form and incredible fitness, have urged him to stay but the man who played a record 77 times for his country was giving no clues after becoming the first recipient of the Lion of Vienna Award for Outstanding Achievement at the Player of the Year ceremony.

After opening his acceptance speech by joking "I'm obviously retiring!" he spoke of his gratitude for Wanderers, the club he has served with distinction for seven seasons.

"This team has been really special to me," he said. "I've got this great sense of gratitude to the people of Bolton and the Trotters. I don't think I could have asked for a better club and we have to realise we have something special going here."

Reflecting on Wanderers' top flight promotions of 95 and 97 when they failed to last more than a season, he was clearly delighted and relieved to make it third time lucky, adding: "It's about time too!"

Although this was not necessarily a farewell speech, Bergsson took the opportunity to pay tributes to his wife "my strongest supporter and my backbone for all these years", Sam Allardyce "who has a lot to do with the fact that I'm still playing on" and assistant manager Phil Brown "a great mate". And he had a special word for the fans, adding "Whatever happens next season - as a player or as a supporter myself - I will always be grateful to them."

Presenting the award, the chairman said: "He has led by example as a respected captain and off the field as a great ambassador. He has excelled himself in this campaign with another outstanding season."