Jay Jay Ponders Future

Last updated : 03 November 2005 By Matt Bottom

Jay-Jay Okocha has admitted that he is struggling to resist a lucrative move to the Middle East.

"I have been getting a lot of offers from Qatar and it might be difficult to keep rejecting them, given what is on offer," he confirmed.

"Until recently there would have been a lot of pressure on me to get myself fit and back into the team. Now that's not the case and it's going to be difficult for me to regain a regular place.

"I enjoy competition and I intend to fight hard to stay in the team, but the club have several more players now who can do the job that I was doing and that's great for us.

"I have an option for another year [with Bolton] next summer. I might stay here, or I might look to finish somewhere where there is better weather."

"I am proud of the part I have played in the development of Bolton," he continued. "At the beginning we were always relegation candidates, but now we have met our first target by establishing ourselves in The Premiership and qualifying for Europe.

"Now it is all about reaching the next level. I hope I can be part of it, if not then I will hand it over to people who can take the club forward."

Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce admits he hasn't spoken with skipper Jay-Jay Okocha about his future.

"It used to be a case that we held our breath whenever Jay-Jay went down in a tackle, said Allardyce.

"And when we lost to Wigan and Chelsea it looked like we might miss him as much as ever.

"But our results since have shown that there is plenty of quality and depth in the squad.

"I haven't spoken to him about his future, but I'm happy if he feels no longer being an automatic choice will gee him up.

"He is still a terrific player when he is at his best."