Ricardo Gardner in Tykes Trial

Ricardo "Bibi" Gardner won't be joining Big Sam's Southern Bolton Old Boys Club after his trial with West Ham United didn't earn him a permanent deal. According to West Ham's assistant manager, Neil McDonald, a deal for the 34-year-old Jamaican was never actually in the works and he was only there to get his fitness back. McDonald said:

"Ricardo has just been in for a few weeks trying to get his fitness back and we've helped him out with a couple of games [for the development squad] as well,

"We've got no spaces in our 25-man squad so there's nothing doing.

"We had a great relationship with him at Bolton and he has to come in and do a little bit of training to try to top up his fitness, and that's what he's done.

"Fortunately we've let him play a couple of games so he's ready and raring to go if somebody needs a left-back, cum left midfielder, cum left winger.

Now, word out of Barnsley FC is that the Bolton legend is on trial with the Tykes. Barnsley are just one spot and two points above the drop zone and sorely need an experienced hand to help pull them away from danger. Gardner, who has had injury issues in the past (it was also an injury that saw him sit out the last six months of his Bolton career), seems to be in much better shape now. Hopefully he can remain healthy and see out his career on great terms.

If the Tykes do offer Bibi a permanent deal, you can bet that a huge number of Bolton Wanderers will be pulling for them to stay up.