Bolton braced for Helguson absence

Iceland striker Heidar Helguson will miss Bolton Wanderers FC's UEFA Cup first round tie against FK Rabotnicki after being ruled out for seven weeks following ankle surgery.

Summer arrival
The 30-year-old underwent the operation having had to sit out Bolton's last two English Premier League matches and he may not be back in action until November. Helguson is just three games into his Bolton career after a summer move from Fulham FC.

Hunt problem
The Lancashire club could also have to negotiate the Rabotnicki tie without right-back Nicky Hunt. The 24-year-old is an early doubt for the first leg in F.Y.R. Macedonia on 20 September after spraining his ankle during Saturday's defeat by Everton FC. Bolton manager Sammy Lee will be encouraged, however, by the return to fitness of Ricardo Gardner and Joey O'Brien.