Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has been forced to admit defeat in his attempt to sign Real Madrid defender Ivan Campo.

Allardyce this week made a formal approach to sign the Spanish international on loan until the end of the season to aid the club's Premiership survival hopes.

Allardyce, whose side face a crucial clash with relegation rivals Blackburn today, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The player was very keen to join us, but the football club were unwilling to let him go due to their European commitments.

"It looks very doubtful."

Wanderers have some cash to spend following former Scotland international Colin Hendry's loan move to Preston.

The club are desperate to retain their top-flight status and have been highly active in the transfer market in recent weeks.

Fredi Bobic and Youri Djorkaeff have both moved to the Reebok Stadium on loan from Borussia Dortmund and Kaiserslautern respectively, and Stig Tofting was signed from Hamburg for �250,000.