Pedersen close to return

BOLTON utility player Henrik Pedersen will travel with the squad to Marseille today ahead of the UEFA Cup second leg in France following a four-month injury nightmare.

Pedersen, 30, came through a 45 minute run-out for the reserves after recovering from an Achilles injury.

Marseille coach Jean Fernandez is likely to be absent from the bench after undergoing surgery to remove gall stones. Fernandez had initially planned to undergo the operation next week, but after suffering a fresh bout of illness on Monday night he was re-admitted to hospital.