Megson keeps his fingers crossed

6:10am Saturday 11th October 2008

GARY Megson will be desperately hoping his international contingent return unscathed.

The Wanderers manager has only just had his full squad at his disposal again since the opening-day victory against Stoke.

Matty Taylor’s return to first-team action in Sunday’s 3-1 win at West Ham – his first appearance since breaking his toe at Newcastle in the second game of the season – means Megson now has his first-choice team available for selection again.

Record-signing Johan Elmander was sidelined for five weeks after tearing his hamstring at St James Park, while key defender Gary Cahill was missing for three games after being sent off against Northampton.

But the trio all played a part in the first away win of the season at Upton Park.

Megson has made no secret of the fact he is short on numbers, opting instead to pursue a summer recruitment policy which favoured quality over quantity.

And, after watching his side end a run of six games without a win in the capital, the Bolton boss will be praying the 12 Wanderers players involved with their countries do not pick up any new problems.

“We need players to stay fit,” said Megson. “We played very well against Stoke and won 3-1, but that’s the last time we had that team available.

“For the last five games before West Ham, we didn’t have Cahill, Elmander and Matty Taylor all available – and that makes a difference.”

Of the dozen Reebok players involved over the next six days, Ricardo Gardner and Danny Shittu have the longest journeys to make as they head off to Jamaica and Nigeria respectively.

Gretar Steinsson and Heidar Helguson (both Iceland), Jussi Jaaskelainen (Finland), new boy Ebi Smolarek (Poland), Elmander (Sweden), Joey O’Brien (Republic of Ireland), Tamir Cohen (Israel) and young goalkeeper Adam Bogdan (Hungary) have all jetted off for World Cup qualifiers.

Fabrice Muamba will attempt to help England Under-21s reach next summer’s European Championships in Sweden when they take on Wales in the play-off first leg at Cardiff’s Ninian Park tonight, while Ali Al-Habsi has been called up for Oman’s training camp in Spain.

Elmander, meanwhile, admits Wanderers have yet to see the best of him as he battles to rediscover his full fitness.

The £11million man has struck just once since his summer arrival from Toulouse.

“I would lie if I say that I am on top form,” said the 27-year-old, ahead of his country’s clash with Portugal tomorrow.

“I am lacking touches of the ball and speed.”

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