Diouf spent a season on loan at Bolton

The 26-year-old Senegal forward said he could leave the club after failing to make the starting line-up.

But Lee insists the player must be patient: "Diouf is always talking to me and I am pleased he is disappointed.

"I want competition for places and do not want people to feel they are automatic choices," he added.

"We felt it was the right starting line-up. Unfortunately, Ricardo Vaz Te was injured and had to come off.

"Everyone then saw Diouf's quality and I can understand his frustration.

"But it is important people are always looking over their shoulders and being spurred on by other players," Lee added.

I want competition for places and do not want people to feel they are automatic choices Bolton manager Sammy Lee

Diouf could return to the side on Wednesday against Fulham at Craven Cottage as Kevin Davies (hamstring) and Vaz Te (foot) are both ruled out.

Diouf joined Bolton from Liverpool at the start of the 2005/2006 campaign for an undisclosed fee, having spent the 2004/2005 season on loan at the Reebok Stadium.

The striker put his future with the Trotters in doubt when he said:

"I don't know about tomorrow, it is another day. Maybe tomorrow I will go.

"Of course I was disappointed not to be on at the start. I am a footballer and I want to play in every game."