African Contingent Could Make Highbury Trip

By Mark Heys
February 9 2006

Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that three of his African stars may be in line to play in the Premiership game against Arsenal on Saturday.

Jay-Jay Okocha, El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye will jet into London on Thursday ahead of the Wanderers last ever visit to Highbury after spending the last month representing their respective countries.

Earlier on in the week defender Radhi Jaidi also returned to the club and Allardyce says barring injuries, all four could play their part against the Gunners to give Wanderers a much needed selection boost.

"The players will fly back on a private jet straight after the game on Thursday night, They will join the rest of the squad at our hotel in London and prepare for what will be a massive game against Arsenal on Saturday." said Allardyce to the official site

"We will check their availability and if they avoid any injuries in the match in Egypt they will be ready to play on Saturday. Jay Jay Okocha has recovered from his injury and El Hadji Diouf had a knock earlier in the week, but we are assured that he is back to full fitness.

"Radhi Jaidi returned to the Club on Tuesday and has trained all week and is ready to play some part at Highbury. We have a very busy period coming up and we will need every player ready for what will be a demanding schedule."

The return of the quartet is timed to perfection as Wanderers have suffered big injuries to the likes of Ivan Campo and Khalilou Fadiga who are both now ruled out until the end of the campaign with foot and knee problems.