BENJANI Mwaruwari has been linked with a £1,5 million January switch to Bolton, with Wigan and West Ham also said to be keen.

The fit-again striker has fallen down on the pecking order at big spending Manchester City and would be free to talk to other clubs in January. His contract expires next May.

Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that Bolton manager Gary Megson, desperate to add attacking options when the transfer window opens, “has earmarked Benjani as the player to fire them to safety”.

Mwaruwari is thought to favour a move back to his old club, Portsmouth, but fresh instability at the club will put him off.

Portsmouth axed their manager Paul Hart this week after poor results, and Avram Grant is favourite to replace him.

Mwaruwari, who has been dogged by injuries over the last season, came through 90 minutes for City’s reserves at Blackburn on Tuesday.

In a reserve team featuring the midfield duo Vincent Kompany and Michael Johnson, Benjani set up City's goal in a 1-1 draw, James Poole levelling for the Blues just before half-time.

Mwaruwari turned down moves to Hull and West Ham in the summer, preferring to continue his rehabilitation from injury.