IT looked like he'd never been away: Franck Passi was into his midfield stride as easily and effectively as anyone in Wanderers' pre-season programme.

The fact that he'd been released at the end of last season didn't seem to matter to the French general and the team-mates he knows so well.

The simple fact is that Sam Allardyce, scratching for players to keep the numbers up, wasn't going to ignore such talent and experience.

But Passi is not just making up the numbers now. He's signed a short-term contract, which will be extended for the rest of the season, if things go well.

And the manager certainly wants things to go well: "Franck's a model professional and he's magic to have around the football club.

"He asked to come back here and, because of the shortage of players, I was happy to have him back.

"He's shown commitment and that's a factor that's extremely important. I really don't see any reason at this stage why we shouldn't be able to extend the deal."