Despite firing the goal that moved Bolton ahead of us in the league, Bolton are still wary over Diouf's future.

Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that it would be a 'gamble' to purchase on-loan star El Hadji Diouf on a permanent basis.

The volatile former double African Footballer of the Year has been a sensation for the Trotters on the pitch since being sent to the Reebok Stadium from Liverpool at the beginning of the season.

The Senegalese striker emphasised his importance to Bolton's European qualification aspirations by scoring the winner against Charlton on Saturday.

The brilliant on-field displays have, however, been offset by constant trouble off the pitch. Diouf's 'spitting' reputation has followed him from Anfield, while his sending off against Arsenal for striking Gunners goalkeeper Jens Lehmann again highlighted his suspect temperament.

Allardyce, who has defended his player's behaviour all season, has now finally revealed that signing Diouf permanently would contain a high risk factor.

"With him we don't quite know when the fuse is going to blow and that's a concern, not just for me but for the owners of this football club," said the boss.

"To splash out on a big contract for a player of his caliber is a big decision and we will make it at the end of the season.

"If you took him on it would be a gamble because he could flare up again."

Big Sam also claimed that he was not able to 'change' the 24-year-old's character if he was not prepared to do it himself.

"I don't think I can change him, only El Hadji can change himself. He doesn't know why he does it and I think that's the problem," he added.

"We can't really get to the root of it because at any time his fuse can just go. On a day-to-day basis he's a smashing lad and it's just one of those things that's there with him.

"I don't think it's too late for him to change, as he matures he will realise there are some things that cannot be tolerated."

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