On trial again!

• Gardner's Bolton future hangs in the balance

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The future of Reggae Boy Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner at his English Premier League club, Bolton Wanderers, hangs in the balance as manager Owen Coyle has made it clear that he will put sentiments aside when determining whether or not to offer the defender/midfielder a new contract at the end of the season.

Gardner's current deal at the Reebok Stadium ends this summer.

He has been with Bolton for 13 years after impressing at the 1998 World Cup.

The 32-year-old has been sidelined for much of the season with a knee problem and was then loaned out to Preston North End for a month. He has, however, featured in Bolton's last four games, as Coyle assesses him.

"I have given Ricardo that game time to try and be fair to him,'' Coyle told the Bolton News. "He has been an outstanding player for the club. I like to think I am loyal to my players and I want to make sure I give them the opportunity.

"I told him I would give him game time to try and earn a contract. Now I have to sit down with him and make a decision. I will take all the emotion out of it and make a football decision.''

Gardner, who last represented the national team at the 2009 Gold Cup, is keen on extending his stay at Bolton, but stressed to Bolton News that he is focusing on Wanderers' run-in, which concludes on Sunday with a home game against Manchester City.

"I don't even want to think about my contract, I just want to go out there and help my team-mates get the win we play each game for,'' Gardner said.

"I haven't spoken to the manager yet, but we'll see what happens at the end of the season. It would be great to get a new deal and push on from there, but at the end of the day it's up to the manager," Gardner stated. "I'd be pleased to stay on here.''