Big Sam delight at Candela

Sam Allardyce has spoken of his delight after signing Roma's Vincent Candela.

The talented Frenchman, who will wear number 23, joins Bolton on a five-month contract and appears to be a significant coup for the North West outfit.

Candela has been frozen out at the capital club this term but at 31, still looks an astute piece of business by Allardyce.

''I met Vincent a couple of weeks ago and thought at the beginning we wouldn't have a chance from a salary point of view,'' Allardyce told Sky Sports News.

''Everyone knows just how much money they are paid in Italy but to be fair to the player, he hasn't played much for Roma and wanted to try The Premiership.

''He's given up a lot financially from his point of view to join us until the end of the season.

''He's had seven years in Italy with a top club, he's a French international, a World Cup winner and only 31 - it makes us very excited and we're pleased he's joining us.''

Candela could find himself playing first team football almost immediately, as regular full back Nicky Hunt has been ruled out after injury at the weekend.

The England Under-21 international was the victim of a late tackle from Oldham's Lee Croft but has not suffered as serious an injury as first feared.

''It's very sad,'' continued Allardyce. ''Nicky's gone down with a serious injury but hasn't broken his leg.

''He is still in severe pain with ankle ligament damage and bone bruising and is going to be out for a few weeks.

''Vincent will be coming into the action almost immediately.''

Over the past few years Allardyce has become somewhat of a master at deadline day deals but with his side comfortably placed in the table, he concedes that the club are not as desperate for new faces as in previous seasons.

He concluded: ''We're not quite as desperate as years gone by.

''We would have hoped to get one or two more in but that wasn't the case.

''We're not as desperate as we've been in the past, as we are comfortable with the squad and nobody has left us.''