Bolton hit back in Sam row

Bolton Wanderers have hit back at claims from former boss Sam Allardyce that the club has been mis-managed since he left the Reebok Stadium.

Allardyce left the Trotters 12 months ago after eight successful years at the helm and has this week taken a swipe at the way the relegation-plagued club has been run since his exit.

Allardyce accused his successors of "trying to fix something that wasn't broken" after appointing Sammy Lee and then Gary Megson as his successors during a disastrous campaign which could still end in relegation.

But club officials have hit back at their former manager after accusing him of destabilising the players ahead of a vital Premier League clash with Sunderland on Saturday.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinions about footballers and football clubs - fans, pundits, those in the game and those currently outside the game," said a club spokesman.

"Mr Allardyce was a great servant of Bolton Wanderers Football Club and naturally we are disappointed at the timing and the nature of his comments at such an important stage of the season, especially when he has experience of a similar situation during his time here."

Meanwhile, Allardyce has revealed he is ready to return to management four months after being axed by Newcastle United.