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International clash for Bolton stars

STELIOS Giannakopoulos will be Bolton's only representative in Euro 2004, but two Wanderers' stars are on international duty this week, writes TREVOR BAXTER.

The season may have ended for most of their colleagues but Jay-Jay Okocha and Ricardo Gardner have some unfinished business in London.

Indeed, the Reebok team-mates will be in opposition tomorrow when Okocha's Nigeria tackle the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica in the Unity Cup.

The three-nation event at Charlton's Valley Stadium kicked off yesterday, with the Super Eagles' clash against Roy Keane and the Republic of Ireland.

And the tournament concludes on Wednesday when Jamaica meet Brian Kerr's in-form Irish outfit.

Gardner is joined in the Boyz' squad by Oldham's former Wanderers' midfielder Jermaine Johnson and keeper Donovan Ricketts.

Ricketts, who played a number of reserve matches for Bolton, is out of contract after initially agreeing a short-term deal, but is hoping to stay at the club.

Nigeria were due to include their own highly-rated goalie Vincent Enyeama, but he's been given permission to play for his club in the CAF Champions League match against Angolan side Petro Athletico.

Enyeama, one of the stars of the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, had a trial with Wanderers earlier this season on Okocha's recommendation.

And he's said to be disappointed not to get another opportunity to press his claims for a contract.

Okocha was player of the tournament in Tunisia and recently delighted Bolton fans by accepting a new three-year contract.

"I know that there are some people hoping that we could challenge for a Uefa Cup place next season", says the mercurial midfielder.

"But I think it is important that we do not aim for things that could stretch our resources.

"I think that we should try to better our performance this season and maybe we can begin to think of bigger things.

"We do not have the resources of the big clubs like Manchester United, so we must be very careful."

Okocha and Gardner face a busy few weeks. The Nigerians have World Cup qualifiers coming up against Rwanda, Angola and Algeria, while Jamaica have a tie with Haiti.



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