"We have had a look at him in training," said Allardyce.

"But the problem is that he hasn't had a club since the start of the season so it's a question of how long it would take him to get up to speed.

"We might need someone against Coventry, as quickly as that.

"We have a three-game week coming up and we might need someone for that.

"Ability-wise, Franco would certainly be capable but physically, because he hasn't had a club for a while, that fitness is way down. We haven't written it of yet."