Bolton Wanderers boss Gary Megson is delighted to have striker Heidar Helguson available.

The Icelandic striker has featured in just three games, scoring once on his debut at Fulham, before undergoing ankle surgery.

The former Fulham and Watford marksman was only expected to be sidelined for seven weeks.

But it will probably be the New Year before he's in contention for a first-team recall.

Helguson, 30, has just returned to training while Irish defender Joey O'Brien is also on the road to recovery after a hamstring strain.

"We still have to wrap Heidar in cotton wool to make sure, now he's back, he stays with us," said Megson. "Joey has had three or four days training and, like Heidar, we can't rush things so there are more setbacks.

"But we've arranged a private friendly today for a few of them."