No reprieve for Pedersen
18 May 2007 - 08:43:39
Bolton Wanderers manager Sammy Lee has confirmed that Henrik Pedersen has played his last game for the club and his contract will not be extended when it expires at the end of June.
The 31-year-old has spent the last six years at the Reebok Stadium but his performance in the 4-1 defeat at Manchester United in March proved to be his last for the club.
Pedersen had hoped for a reprieve when Lee replaced Sam Allardyce - the previous Bolton boss had told the Dane last month that he would be released.
At the time Pedersen had claimed Allardyce had reneged on an earlier verbal agreement that he would be offered a one-year extension and said the handling of the situation had been "totally disrespectful" and showed "a lack of class".
Pedersen scored 29 goals in 170 appearances for the club and is one of four Bolton players who have not had their contracts renewed.
South African defender Quinton Fortune, Spanish defender Cesar Martin and midfielder David Thompson have also been released.
Meanwhile, Tal Ben Haim and young Polish defender Blazej Augustyn have been offered new deals but have yet to agree terms.