Ali Targeting Wanderers Chance

By Mark Heys
July 6 2007

Bolton Wanderers reserve team goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi hopes that the clubs hectic fixture schedule will finally bring him his first team debut for the Trotters next season.

The 25-year old was signed from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in January 2006 but has so far had to sit in wait due to the excellent form of Wanderers current number one keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Veteran Ian Walker has been preferred in Bolton's cup games for the past two seasons but Al-Habsi is targeting a possible start in one of the competitions over the next campaign.

"I hope this season I get my chance to play for Bolton, We have the Premier League, the FA Cup and the League Cup and maybe this year will be my chance to play some games and prove myself.

"I am very happy in England, especially to be able to work with Jaaskelainen, he is one of the best goalkeepers in the English Premier League. I have worked with him for about a season now and it is great. He is a very good person and he has helped me a lot in training.

"It is good for me to watch him play in training and it is a good experience. I train hard, waiting for my opportunity and I hope to get it

Oman international Al-Habsi is currently playing for his country in the Asia Cup tournament in Bangkok and will therefore miss Bolton's tour of Korea next week.