Meite hits back at bosses claims

Defender prepared to fight for Trotters

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 31st March 2008

abdoulaye meite bolton defender

Meite: Has lost his place in the side

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Abdoulaye Meite has told Sky Sports News that he remains loyal to the Bolton cause despite claims to the contrary.

The Ivory Coast international was substituted at half-time during the Trotters 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on 19th March, prompting suggestions from his manager Gary Megson that he had refused to come out for the second period.

However, the defender has firmly refuted the accusations and is adamant that he was not fit enough to carry on at Old Trafford.

Despite it now looking unlikely that the defender will figure again under Megson for the remainder of the season, Meite is refusing to give up hope of making a first-team return and is determined to prove his detractors wrong if he is handed another chance.

Opinion

I wasn't 100 per cent fit and at the half-time I said to the manager it is too much," he told Sky Sports News.

"But now everybody has their opinion, I have mine and he has his opinion.

"But I want to say now that the most important thing is the team, helping the club stay up.

"If the club stay up I am a fighter. I will always fight for my team and the club, and now if possible I play for the team, that is okay because I am a fighter."

Staying put

Megson recently told the centre-back that he was free to leave the club on loan if a suitable offer came in.

However, Meite then turned down the opportunity to join Championship side Ipswich, and insists that he wants to stay at the Reebok.

It is a big disappointment," he said.

"I have said before that I want to stay in the Premier League with Bolton.

"I think we will have to wait and see."