By Mark Heys
July 24 2007

Bolton Wanderers will be back playing on British soil for the first time since May tommorow ev ening when they take on CIS Cup winners Hibernian in a pre-season friendly at Easter Road with Anglo Saxon pride at stake against the Edinburgh club.

Sammy Lee's Wanderers team have just come back from participating in the Peace Cup in Korea and a game against Hibs will represent an altogether different challenge to what they have been used to against continental opposition so far this summer.

Hibs finished sixth in the SPL last season in John Collins first season in charge since taking over from Tony Mowbray but the loss of top scorer and one time Manchester City and Oldham Athletic player Chris Killeen to Celtic has left a bit hole in their attack.

Also missing for the Scottish side from last season are Kevin Thomson and Scott Brown, both strongly linked with a switch to the Wanderers last season before deciding to go to the Old Firm.

Still, Collins has brought in replacements with no fewer than seven additions to add to the loss of these key players including Motherwell's Brian Kerr, Clayton Donaldson of York City and German youngster Torben Joneleit.

Bolton will be without left back Ricardo Gardner for the trip North of the Border as he damaged his hamstring against Seongnam Ilhwa earlier in the month.

Swiss international Blerim Dzemaili is also out of action with a long term knee problem and veteran goalkeeper Ian Walker is still troubled by a back problem.

Wanderers manager Lee could hand debuts to Heidar Helguson and Mikel Alonso following their recent transfers from Fulham and Real Sociedad respectively.

Hibs are without their recent signing Alan O'Brien after the former Newcastle United midfielder picked up an ankle injury but fellow new boy Thierry Gathuessi is likely to be involved after completing a permanent time switch from FC Sete following a successful trial spell.

Hamstring victim Steven Whittaker may also make the game after returning to training this week..

PLAYED FOR BOTH: Alf Anderson, Chic Charnley, Mixu Paatelainen, Andy Walker