BOLTON are strengthening their links with all conquering St Helens rugby league club.

Award winning Saints coach Daniel Anderson recently spent a day with Wanderers' medical and fitness specialists.

And now Anderson is returning the favour and inviting some of Sam Allardyce's backroom team to Knowsley Road next week.

"Rugby league has some pretty cutting edge technology when it comes to training," said Anderson, whose side famously regained the Carnegie World Club Challenge at the Reebok Stadium last Friday.

"I know other sports can definitely look at ours," he said.

"I have seen Bolton's strength sessions and a lot of their players don't even know what weights are.

"I don't think our magnificently, traditional stadium will give them too many ideas," Anderson laughed. "But we've got a good gym. It's a working class gym whereas soccer teams usually have boutique gyms!"

Anderson gave Bolton full marks for their staging of the game against Brisbane Broncos.

Atmosphere

"It's a great stadium and a superb atmosphere. I had nothing but praise for the entire evening."

Bolton are hoping for a similar atmosphere and similar winning outcome when they entertain Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

Victory is imperative after their heavy defeat at Spurs last Sunday and midfielder Gary Speed believes Wanderers will bounce back.

"When you've had a result, and put in a performance like that, you just want the next game to come as quickly as possible.

"The sooner that game's under way, the better for us.

"We've got to make sure that we eradicate the performance at Spurs.

"At the same time, we've got to learn from the mistakes and get a positive reaction.

"In training this week we've got to make sure we put things right for that game."

Wanderers have again been linked with Villa defender Jlloyd Samuel. Middlesbrough are also said to be interested in the former England squad player, available on a Bosman this summer.

Would you like to see Samuel at Bolton? Have your say.

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