Youri Returns To First Team Fold

Last updated : 31 March 2004 By Mark Heys
Returning To Action
Bolton Wanderers veteran Youri Djorkaeff has returned to training following a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that has forced him to miss the clubs last three matches.


The 36-year old gained the injury during the 2-0 defeat by Birmingham City at the turn of the month and had been forced to return home to his native France to receive extensive treatment.

Assistant Manager Phil Brown confirmed that there could be an outside chance the World Cup winner will be involved in this weekends Premiership clash with Middlesbrough as the medical staff make their final assessments on the player.

“Youri Djorkaeff will be somewhere near the first team this week. He has come back from France, where he has been receiving some treatment, refreshed and eager to play.

“The medical team will have a good look at him this week. Knowing Youri, he’ll want to play on Saturday and it would be nice to see him back.

“He’ll train with the first team on Thursday and Friday and we’ll make a judgment later on the week on whether he is fit enough to play against Middlesbrough.”

The first team return of Djorkaeff will come as a welcome boost to manager Sam Allardyce who has already seen his thin squad decimated by further injuries to defenders Nicky Hunt and Bruno N'Gotty recently.