Stelios Confident Of Making Villa Tie

By Mark Heys
August 3 2005

Bolton midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos says that he will be fully fit and raring to go in readiness for the Trotters Premiership opener with Aston Villa in ten days time.

The Greek winger has endured a busier pre-season than most players due to his international commitments, but he is confident that he will be back to full sharpness in time for the date at Villa Park on August 13, even though he has only played a couple of pre-season matches.

"I've had a busy summer with the national team. I played until June 22, so I had to get some rest before coming back to train." he told the Manchester Evening News.

"The match at Hull last Saturday was my first, and obviously I wasn't 100 per cent ready. But I feel I will have recovered for the Aston Villa game and for a very difficult season.

"I've not had a full month without doing anything. I only stayed out of training for a couple of weeks. Then I started some special individual training. I still have time to prepare myself 100 per cent for the beginning of the season."

The former Olympiakos favourite reckons that the extra demands of UEFA Cup football will make it tough for Bolton to repeat or better the success that they have achieved over the past two seasons.

"Every year we have done better than the last. But it's going to be a very tough season because we have Europe this year. Believe me, European football is not easy for English teams."

Meanwhile Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce has denied that Liverpool have made an approach for Giannakopoulos, despite continious reports linking the 31-year old with a move to Anfield.

"Based on what my chairman said, he said he had a conversation with (Liverpool chief executive) Rick Parry, and Rick Parry said there is no bid for Stelios and there never has been.

"So that kills all the speculation. Liverpool have never made a bid or an enquiry about Stelios Giannakopoulos, or an offer for us to consider, so it's all speculation, which is upsetting for me, but more importantly upsetting for the player."