Sunderland attacker El-Hadji Diouf has completed his move to Blackburn for a fee of £2million.

After spending three years together at Bolton, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce and Diouf are again reunited at Ewood Park.

Allardyce said: "He is a talented player. He can be a little wayward, as everybody knows, but hopefully I'll be able to control him as much as I did when I was at Bolton."

As to ensuring Diouf fires on all cylinders, Allardyce has a method of working with him he developed during their time at Bolton.

"Knowing him as long as I have, and understanding his personality, means I probably will put up with more than most managers would," commented Allardyce.

"I won't be soft. I can be as hard as I need to be, but I can be encouraging, reminding him of the things he needs to do, not just on the field, but off it.

"I have to make sure he doesn't let himself, me or the club down.

"After a sticky start, our relationship at Bolton improved, and I now want to continue that at Blackburn."

There will be no immediate return to the North East for Diouf, though, as Blackburn failed to complete the transfer by the noon deadline ahead of Saturday's game at Middlesbrough.