GERRY Taggart returns to the international stage tonight knowing his performance could help him back into the Premiership.

The Northern Ireland defender is out of contract with Wanderers and wants to move to a top-flight side after a season blighted by suspension and injury problems. But he still insists he hasn't cut his ties at the Reebok.

Taggart will play his first international under new Irish boss Lawrie McMenemy against World Cup-bound Spain in a friendly in Santander - a match which puts him in the shop window.

"I want to stay and play in the Premiership next season, but it's also got to be a decent club," he said.

"I have not had anybody saying, 'Yes, we will have you' and hopefully me playing in this match will go some way towards people having a look.

"That's why this is an important game, not just for Northern Ireland but myself."

Taggart, 27, has been upset by Wanderers' suggestions that he is trying to hold them to ransom over a new contract but says if no one comes in for him he will re-sign and commit himself to the bid to bounce back next season.

"They put a lot of things in the press which weren't true, like I was trying to hold the club to ransom," he said.

"I never said anything because I didn't want to cause a ruckus at a time when the club was in the state it was, which would only have caused bad blood.

"There's nothing solid on the table from Bolton but, if I have to stay with Bolton, I will stay and have no qualms about that."

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