By Matt Lawton
August 19 2002

Wanderers manager has revealed he is still in the hunt for a new striker with Michael Ricketts unsettled at the Reebok and Henrik Pedersen being plagued by injuries. Allardyce and Ricketts have never particularly seen eye to eye and have had several high-profile bust ups. However, Allardyce does recognise that Ricketts is Bolton's most talented striker and the need for back up is there.
Reports of a possible £7million bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Ricketts only fuelled reports of a rift between the two and also the possible signing of former Spurs striker Chris Armstrong on a free transfer.
There are a few strikers in Bolton's squad but Allardyce recognises the fact that more quality is needed. Dean Holdsworth hasn't got the fitness to complete a weekly Premiership 90 minutes as he reaches the veteran stage of his career and also would like a transfer back to London to be closer to his family. Danish striker Henrik Pedersen is prone to injuries and hardly played last season whereas youngsters Cleveland Taylor and David Norris are on loan to Exeter and Swindon respectively. Recent signing Delroy Facey from Second Division Huddersfield Town is deemed to be too inexperienced to be playing regular Premiership football at this early stage in his career so Allardyce has heightened his chase for Armstrong prior to the European transfer window closing on August 31st and therefore no transfers being allowed to be completed after that point.