MARK Fish dropped a bombshell today when he revealed he is considering quitting football to launch a business venture in South Africa reveals BEN Chief Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock.

The Wanderers' defender, currently contemplating the offer of a three-year extension to his Reebok contract, has refused to give details of the business opportunity but stressed: "I could go into it straight away.

"It wouldn't be as lucrative now as playing football but it's something I could do for 20 to 30 years. And it would involve giving up football!"

Fish says he expects to make a decision on his future "probably by the end of this month" but he knows Sam Allardyce may not be happy to wait that long for him to pick up the new contract offer.

"I'm sure Sam would want me to sign it as soon as possible," he acknowledged. "But, even though I regard it as an honour that Bolton Wanderers have made me this offer, I'm not going to rush into it when I've got things other than football that I am interested in.

"We have a good understanding though and he's not pressurising me.

"I am at a crossroads. This is something I've always been interested in and now I want to pursue it in a more vigorous way."

Fish admits he is in a quandary. He is tempted by the prospect of going into business but is also actively pursuing British citizenship with a view to settling in England with his South African-born wife, Loui, and 28-month old son, Luke.

"My wife doesn't want to live in South Africa any more," he explains, "she's concerned about the security of bringing up a young one there. But the business would be in the Cape area, where it is not as violent and where my wife is from.

"If I was a single man I would have no reservations about going back to South Africa but I have a wife and family and I have to respect what they want to do."

The 26-year-old centre-back, who returned to the national side earlier this month after sensationally announcing his retirement from international football in February, admits he is concerned about qualifying for a work permit allowing him to stay in the UK when his current contract expires at the end of this season.

"Gaining residency is the ultimate ambition but's a complicated scenario," he added. "But I don't think it's a problem at the moment.

"Things are going well here at the moment though and I've always said that I want to play in the Premiership and with Bolton. I enjoy playing for Bolton."

Wanderers will go into Saturday's derby duel with Blackburn at Ewood Park without skipper Mike Whitlow. He has again been ruled out with the groin problem he suffered in the win at Huddersfield.

Blackburn were expected to complete the £4.6 million signing of Cameroon international Lucien Mettemo today but he is unlikely to figure on Saturday. Craig Short and Matt Jansen are expected to be fit for selection after injury - and ex-Wanderer Nathan Blake should return after being rested for Tuesday night's 4-0 Worthington Cup win against Portsmouth.