Bolton Wanderers FC

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• Manager:Owen Coyle

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Lee waits on Ben Haim

01 Jun 2007 - 09:26:21

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Bolton Wanderers manager Sammy Lee is still hopeful of persuading centre-half Tal Ben Haim to sign a new contract and stay with the Trotters.

The 25-year-old Israel international is believed to be a transfer target for both Chelsea and Newcastle United, but Lee still holds out hope of holding on to one of his star performers.

He told the club's official website: "I have spoken to Tal and have nothing but admiration for the lad in the way he has handled himself in difficult circumstances this year with all the speculation.

"I don't know whether he is going to come back to us. The ball is in his court and it will be up to him now.

"The club has made him an offer and, after the internationals in June, he will make a decision on where he wants to go.

"I do hope we can persuade him to stay, but it will be up to him."

Ben Haim joined Bolton in the summer of 2004 from Maccabi Tel-Aviv and has gone on to make 110 appearances for the Trotters, with his one and only goal coming in February 2005 against Spurs.