Blackburn Rovers' controversial hitman El Hadji Diouf is reportedly pining for a return to former club Bolton Wanderers, with whom he spent four years of his career.

The 28-year-old is alleged to have been spending more time at his former employer's Reebok Stadium than at current home Ewood Park.

The Senegal international was recently spotted watching the Trotters' Carling Cup third round win over West Ham United on the same night that his Rovers side knocked out Nottingham Forest.

Perhaps the former Liverpool ace is unsettled at Blackburn after his sensational claims that Everton fans threw bananas at him were widely condemned, and after he himself was accused of racially abusing a ball boy.

In January, Diouf admitted he was still in love with Bolton, but denied that he could ever return having linked up with his old boss Sam Allardyce at Blackburn.

And therefore Diouf's presence at the Reebok in midweek can just as easily be put down a lasting affinity with the club, plus the fact that he still lives nearby, as much as the speculation that he is plotting a return.