Owen Coyle has assured Ricardo Gardner that he will be given every opportunity to earn a new deal.
Coyle vows to give Jamaican midfielder first-team opportunities
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has assured Ricardo Gardner that he will be given every opportunity to earn a new deal.
The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has only recently returned from a loan spell at Preston.
A stint with the Lilywhites was intended to aid him in his recovery from a succession of injuries, which have kept him sidelined for long periods.
The Jamaican certainly benefited from a spell in the Championship, while Preston were able to pick up three wins in the four games in took in with them.
Gardner is now hoping to be handed a recall to the Bolton first-team before the end of the season.
Good level
Coyle insists the long-serving midfielder will get his chance to impress, with no decision having been made as yet regarding his future.
"The loan move gave Ricardo a month at a very good level," said the Trotters boss.
"I have to thank Preston for allowing him to play the games he did. That was great for us.
"Now I have to be fair to Ricardo. He will return to the squad and I will give him the chance to earn that next contract."
Gardner joined Bolton on the back of an impressive showing at the 1998 World Cup and has gone on to make almost 400 appearances for the club.
