Bolton Wanderers Football Club News

• Nickname:Wanderers
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Owen Coyle

• Ground:Reebok Stadium
• Capacity:28,000

Trotters earn Anelka blast

21 Nov 2007 - 07:41:41

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France coach Raymond Domenech has accused Bolton Wanderers of exaggerating an injury to Nicolas Anelka in a bid to keep him out of international action.

Wanderers manager Gary Megson urged Domenech not to use Anelka in last week's friendly with Morocco as he was suffering with a hamstring problem.

Megson even suggested his seven-goal striker needed a lengthy spell on the sidelines after missing the club's last four games.

However, Anelka made an appearance as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw and the France coach has hit out at the Premier League club for their pre-match claims.

"They want to protect a player who has not appeared for them. A little doubt remains," he told L'Equipe.

"So they anticipate and try to make me think the injury is bigger to have the player back.

"Here, we do the required scans. The proof is that Anelka played again and there has not been any problem.

"If we had a little doubt during the last training sessions, I would not have taken any risk. I am not crazy."