Swedish striker Johan Elmander is pleased that his fitness worries are easing and he can get on with playing a more active role in Bolton’s battle to stay up.

 

The 27 year-old’s season has been hampered by problems but being part of a winning team again, as the ’man-in-the-hole’ behind Kevin Davies, has added to his general feeling of happiness at being in the North West. “It’s great!” he said, “the team is winning at home and I wake up every morning to my young daughter’s smile. I could not ask for more.“

Meanwhile, Sebastien Puygrenier’s place in Gary Megson’s plans is still in the air. The defender, on loan from Zenit St Petersburg, has made five appearances so far and has made a positive impression but whether Wanderers will cough up the £6M required to make the move permanent is still under question. Megson is happy with his pedigree in terms of skills but, like many imports, is keeping an open mind as to Puygrenier’s ability to fully adapt to the Premiership. Megson said "On the ball, he's probably as good as we've got here. But it is entirely different using that technique when you are going at 100 miles per hour. It takes a bit of time and it's only to be expected that Seb will need time too“.