ONE of the promotion heroes of 1997 is urging Wanderers up again… well, almost.

John Sheridan added power and precision in Colin Todd’s midfield when the Whites waved goodbye to Burnden Park by lifting the First Division trophy with 100 goals and 98 points.

Tomorrow the former Republic of Ireland international will be looking to put a dent in the Whites’ promotion prospects as he leads his Oldham side out at Boundary Park.

Sheridan has fond memories of his time with Bolton, which ended six months after their return to the Premier League with the midfielder turning 34.

After a brief spell with Doncaster Rovers he found his way to Oldham and played another 150 league games before cementing his legendary Latics status in three separate spells as manager.

Sheridan would love to see Phil Parkinson lead Wanderers back into the Championship but will not be making life easy for his former club.

“Deep down, I want Bolton to get promoted,” he said. “It is an ex-club of mine and I loved it when I was there. It was one of the best dressing rooms I have been in and we won the Championship when I was there.

“I had a really good time. I was there for two years and loved every minute of it.

“After tomorrow’s game, I want them to go up. But, 100-per-cent, I want us to beat them.

“They have a good manager and assistant who are two lads I like and who did an excellent job at Bradford. They know this division inside out.

“It will be a really tough game for us, but they will have watched us and will know we are a really hard team to play against.”

Parkinson questioned whether Sheridan could make an impact once again when he joined Oldham in January after a brief spell at Notts County.

“When he went back there this time we were all looking at it and thinking ‘he’ll never do that again,’ but he has,” he said. “It isn’t done yet but it looks like he’ll achieve it and he’s done a terrific job of they get over the line.

“They have got a great home record since Shezza went there against the top six teams, but let’s not forget they are not completely safe.

“We will not be going there and taking them lightly. We have seen the Fleetwood and Sheffield United games. We have got to adapt.”