Bolton Plead For Okocha, Fear For Gardner

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Okocha: in demand


Bolton Wanderers have asked Nigeria to allow Jay-Jay Okocha to travel to the African Nations Cup later than he is currently expected to.

Nigeria have already agreed that Okocha can play in Tuesday's FA Cup replay against Tranmere Rovers.

But the Trotters now want their gifted midfielder to be available to them for the Premiership match against Portsmouth four days later.

"A lot of clubs are in the same boat. If we can keep Jay-Jay for the Portsmouth game that would be great," said assistant manager Phil Brown.

Nigeria originally asked their players to meet up on 19 December for the tournament in Tunisia, which kicks off on 24 January.

But national coach Christian Chukwu agreed that Okocha could remain in England until January 16, when the Super Eagles leave their Portuguese training camp for Tunisia.

Meanwhile, Bolton's midfielder Ricardo Gardner will be assessed by the club's medical staff after he sustained suspected knee ligament damage in the 1-2 home defeat by Manchester United on Wednesday.

Gardner was carried off in the first half after falling awkwardly, and arrived at Bolton's training ground on Thursday on crutches.

Fears have been expressed that the player could be sidelined for the rest of the season, to which Brown responded: "It is far too early to say."

He added: "Ricardo has been one of the shining lights in our season. He has slotted into the left-back role like a fish to water.

"He is the type of guy who can play anywhere, and we all wish him a speedy recovery from his injury."
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