By Mark Heys
July 20 2006

Bolton Wanderers will begin their 2006-2007 pre-season programme with a trip to Lancashire rivals Burnley on Saturday afternoon...

The game at Turf Moor against Steve Cotterill's team will be the first meeting between these two sides since they both shared out a 1-1 draw in similar circumstances four years ago.

Burnley have an advantage over the Wanderers in the sense that they have already had some form of match practice this summer having already shared out a goalless draw with Bury and been victorious against league newcomers Accrington Stanley earlier this month.

Since the end of last season Sam Allardyce has taken his Bolton team over to Switzerland for what was described as the toughest training session that the players will have ever faced.

Both teams are sure to benefit from playing in this game as they aim to increase their match sharpness just a few weeks before what is sure to be another interesting league campaign.

Wanderers may decide to continue to rest their World Cup stars for this game so Radhi Jaidi, Jared Borgetti and Abdoulaye Meite may miss the trip to East Lancashire.

One new signing likely to feature against the Clarets is the ex-Everton player Idan Tal and there could also be a surprise place for trialist Quinton Fortune who was recently made available following a seven year injury hit spell with Manchester United.

Burnley have an injury doubt over Northern Ireland international defender Mike Duff (thigh) whilst experienced goalkeeper Danny Coyne (knee) is likely to miss the start of the new season.

RECENT FRIENDLY RECORD

31/07/2002 BURNLEY 1 BOLTON WANDERERS 1

27/07/1993 BURNLEY 0 BOLTON WANDERERS 1

CONNECTIONS

Paul Atkinson, Ian Brennan, Paul Comstive, Ray Deakin, Martin Dobson, Wayne Entwistle, Delroy Facey, Gareth Farrelly, Paul Fletcher, Harry Hubbick, Warren Joyce, Glen Little, Willie Morgan, George Oghani, John O’Kane, Gary Parkinson, Dennis Peacock, Gerry Peyton, Tony Philliskirk, Brian Pilkington, David Reeves, Michael Ricketts, Derek Scott, Steve Taylor, Steve Thompson, Andy Todd, Mike Walsh, Gavin Ward, Neil Whatmore, Mark Winstanley.

IT HAPPENED WHEN BOLTON PLAYED BURNLEY

Bolton defender Nicky Spooner suffered a badly broken leg in a league game at Turf Moor in October 1994 which was to keep him out of action for two years. Spooner was fouled by Clarets striker John Gayle and the incident was so severe that it was referred to the courts.

Simon Coleman made his debut for the Wanderers in that game and it was his second half equaliser which earned the Whites a 2-2 draw after they initially trailed the game with 10-men after Jason Lydiate was sent off for a reckless challenge.

On the opening day of the 2000-2001 season Burnley winger Glen Little proved to be the star of the show as he tormented the Wanderers as a second half substitute in an excellently contested 1-1 draw. The lanky winger later had a short loan spell with the Wanderers and is now plying his trade with Premiership new boys Reading.