Bolton's Gardner to miss big kick-off

Stretchered off: Ricardo Gardner
13 April 2012

Bolton defender Ricardo Gardner could be out for up to six weeks after tearing a hamstring in the side's 1-1 draw with Seongnam Ilhwa at the Peace Cup in Seoul.

The 28-year-old Jamaica international was carried off on a stretcher in Thursday's match having come on as a second-half substitute.

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An MRI scan has revealed the injury is more serious than first thought and is likely to sideline him for the start of the season.

"The results of the scan reveal that he has a grade one tear of his hamstring, which is a great shame for Ricardo," said Bolton manager Sammy Lee.

"The incident could have happened at any time to any player - it was very unfortunate.

"His recovery process will start immediately and will continue when we return to Bolton next week."

There was better news for midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos, who was ruled out of Thursday's match 30 minutes before kick-off with a calf injury but has been cleared to resume light training.

"The injury to Stelios is not as bad as first feared," Lee told the club's website, www.bwfc.co.uk.

"The medical team will monitor his rehabilitation over the next few days with a view to him resuming training at some stage early next week."

Right-back Nicky Hunt is also free to continuing playing in the Peace Cup despite his red card against Seongnam.

Tournament rules allow a player to be "fined" by his club, with the money going to football projects in South Korea, and Bolton are believed to have made a donation of £500 to enable the defender to play on.

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