Speed Heading For Big Sam Reunion?

Last updated : 11 October 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Speed has been doing a lot of TV work with his old boss Sam Allardyce and some are putting "two and two together".

But Allardyce already has the biggest back-room staff in the Premiership, so it could signal the end for Terry McDermott, who still has not got an official job title at the club.

The 38-year-old Welshman was handed a coaching role by Sammy Lee shortly after he took over the reins from Allardyce at the end of last season.

But both Speed and star midfielder Kevin Nolan, still believed to be upset by Allardyce's move to St James' Park, were dropped for the 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea, which left Lee's struggling Trotters mired in the relegation zone with just five points from the opening nine Premier League games.

Neither Speed nor Nolan were injured for the Blues clash, leading to talk of dressing-room unrest, and the Daily Mail claims Speed could soon be reunited with the former Bolton boss in the North-East.

Some claim under-fire Lee is hanging onto his job by a thread, and defeat in the UEFA Cup would have signalled the end to his short reign at the Reebok.

1998/2004 G.Speed 275/8 39

Cost £5.5m from Everton, after he won a Championship winners medal at Leeds.

Good, strong midfielder who took his time to settle into the team, but had a great understanding with Rob Lee.

Gets most of his goals attacking from deep on corner-kicks, sneaking in unnoticed on the near post.

Welsh international skipper. Joined Bolton the summer of 2004.