Moreno may make début against United

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is ready to hand new signing Javi Moreno a début against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Moreno may make début against United

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is ready to hand new signing Javi Moreno a début against Manchester United on Wednesday.

The Wanderers boss was impressed with the way the Spanish striker went about his first training session with the squad today after joining on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Allardyce said: “Javi finished the medical and joined in with us. His fitness is very good. He has always been involved in the squad in Spain and been used on a few occasions.

“We expect his international clearance in the next day or so and then he can join the squad against Manchester United.

“We are very excited about that. Hopefully he can display the same type of scoring power that he first showed at Alaves.

“I am just delighted we have got one player in as the transfer window has just opened. It’s a major achievement. Now we can move on to the next target.”

The arrival of Moreno raises question marks about the future of Mario Jardel, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Former Golden Boot winner Jardel has failed to adapt to English football since arriving in the summer from Sporting Lisbon.

Allardyce said: “He’s disappointed at not getting a start in the Premiership but you have to look at every player and make judgmental decisions as manager.

“Unfortunately when he’s come off the bench and had the chances he hasn’t been able to convert them. That has slightly hit his confidence as well.”

Meanwhile Allardyce says he expects Nigerian captain Jay-Jay Okocha to leave on Friday, January 16 for the African Nations Cup.

That would leave him clear to face Blackburn on Saturday and possibly Tranmere in an FA Cup replay next Tuesday.

Allardyce said: “I think Jay-Jay will be okay for a bit yet. Hopefully we can win more matches before he departs.”

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