Rushen United Preview

By Mark Heys
July 9 2005

Bolton open their pre-season campaign in the Isle of Man this afternoon as they are scheduled to face Rushen United at the National Sports Centre. A squad with a mix of youth and experience has been named by Sam Allardyce for the visit to the island.

International stars Stelios Giannakopoulos, Jussi Jaaskelainen, El-Hadji Diouf, Radhi Jaidi and Khalilou Fadiga are the only first team players not on show due to their involvement in summer tournaments with their respective countries.

Ricardo Gardner is named in the squad despite having a recent knee problem and their is also a place for Nicky Hunt who missed the final few games of last season with a shoulder injury.

Youth internationals Ricardo Vaz-Te, Jaroslaw Fojut, Rhys Powell, Przemyslaw Kazimierzczak, Johann Smith and Scott Jamieson are also named in the squad as they look to make a regular breakthrough at first team level. Smith and Jamieson will make their first appearances in Bolton shirts having arrived from the USA and Australia respectively.

The game against Rushen has been arranged because Bolton's Isle of Man based owner Eddie Davies wanted the club to play a match against his local team and Sam Allardyce has had no hesitation in bringing a squad to the island.

BOLTON SQUAD: Chris Howarth, Sam Ashton, Przemyslaw Kazimierzczak, Ricardo Gardner, Nicky Hunt, Bruno N'Gotty, Tal Ben-Haim, Bradley Hill, Jaroslaw Fojut, Rhys Powell, Ivan Campo, Joey O'Brien, Kevin Nolan, Gary Speed (capt), Dale Whitehead, Scott Jamieson, Kevin Davies, Henrik Pedersen, Ricardo Vaz-Te, Bedi Buval, James Sinclair, Johann Smith

RUSHEN SQUAD: Marc Barron, Andrew Bunce, Richard Corrin (capt), Adam Cregeen, Neil Curphey, Ryan Denham, Nicky Glover, Alex Guy, Rob Mason, Alex Messenger, Andrew Moody, Jack Saxon, Aron Storrie, David Ward, Stephen Watterson, Chris Wray


Bolton manager Sam Allardyce told the official website that he was looking forward to spending the weekend in the Douglas area.

"We are looking forward to spending this weekend in the Isle of Man,"

"The lads had an intense week of training in Switzerland last week and they are now looking forward to getting together in a competitive game for the first time since May.

"This weekend is all about game situation, which we believe will improve fitness. It is also important for myself and Sammy Lee to have a look at some of our combinations and formations we hope to play going forward.

"The first team squad is likely to start the match and they will probably play about three-quarters of the game.

"Our owner Eddie Davies, who now lives on the island, asked us to bring a side over to play his local team and we were more than happy to play our part in this fantastic weekend for Rushen United."