Bolton Wanderers Football Club

• Nickname:Wanderers
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Dougie Freedman

• Ground:Reebok Stadium
• Capacity:28000

Megson: Cup no distraction

08 Nov 2007 - 08:45:51

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Gary Megson has dismissed claims that Bolton Wanderers' UEFA Cup campaign will have a negative impact on their fight to stay in the Premier League.

The Trotters take on German giants Bayern Munich on Thursday evening, but manager Megson is adamant his players won't be side-tracked from their main objective of improving their domestic form.

The newly-installed boss has opted to leave Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf, Nicky Hunt, Joey O'Brien and Ivan Campo behind with slight injury knocks, but believes the players he has selected will relish the chance to play without the pressure of league points being up for grabs.

Wanderers are currently languishing in 19th place in the league table after winning just one match all season.

"This is a result from having a good season last season. It's not a distraction," he told the club's official website.

"It's a game where we would like to do as well as we possibly can, which is the same as any other game.

"Against these kinds of football clubs in these kinds of stadiums, it's what you dream about as a youngster.

"You want to become a professional first and foremost, then you want to make your debut and go on from there.

"The stadium and history of Bayern is fantastic and it will be a great experience for all the players."

"We will give it our best crack with what we've got."