Pedersen In Line For New Contract

Last updated : 26 September 2004 By Mark Heys

In form Bolton Wanderers striker Henrik Pedersen will have his contract situation reviewed in the next couple of months.

The 29-year old was signed from the Danish club Silkeborg in July 2001 and is currently in the last year of his existing contract with the Trotters keen to secure the forward for a longer period of time.

Whites boss Sam Allardyce confirmed that the club will look at how things are progessing around the Christmas period before they decide to negotiate new terms with the Scandanavian.

"We'll probably address the contract thing about Christmas time," Allardyce told the Bolton Evening News

"Henrik's done this before, spasmodically, during the season, but this time he's done it at the start . . . now his challenge is to continue and not to dip away like he has in the past. He needs to emerge as a sustained threat."

Allardyce remarked that new contracts can have certain effects on particular players with some striving to improve their overall game and others becoming complacent with their position.

"I think new contracts can gee players up. Some respond well, others sit on their backsides and need a kick. You're constantly reviewing your players' Premiership profile."

Pedersen had been tipped to leave the club at the start of the year due to the arrival of fellow striker Javi Moreno, but a purple patch of form around Easter  thrust the player back in favour both at domestic and international level.

This impressive form by the Dane has been continued into the current season with five goals coming in the first eight matches.