Vassell injured in first half

Bolton 0 Aston Villa 0

Darius Vassell is doubtful for England’s friendly against Portugal next Saturday after the Aston Villa striker limped out of his side’s clash with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium towards the end of a goalless first half.

Simon Charlton then required lengthy treatment after losing out in a 50-50 clash with Mark Delaney, with the game held up for about three minutes before the left-back returned.

Bolton continued to have the upper hand and in the 28th minute another chance went begging when Youri Djorkaeff’s flick header from Warhurst’s chipped cross was an inch wide of Enckelman’s left-hand post.

Charlton, though, was unable to shake off the injury sustained minutes earlier as he was soon replaced by Gardner in the 32nd minute.

Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was finally called upon three minutes later, producing a double save as he first parried a 25-yard Lee Hendrie drive before keeping out Vassell’s flick from the rebound.

From the second of the two corners which followed Allardyce was forced to contend with another injury as Warhurst went off for treatment in the dressing room to a head wound.

But it was clearly too serious for the midfielder to simply be patched up as Anthony Barness was brought on as substitute six minutes from the break.

After Barry had lifted a 30-yard shot over the angle of bar and post, Taylor then made a substitution of his own, with Vassell going off on the stroke of half-time, allowing Ecuador international Ulises de la Cruz to make an appearance.