The signing of Youri Djorkaeff yesterday took Wanderers' senior midfield strength to 11 players with Ricardo Gardner, Paul Warhurst, Bulent Akin, Jay Jay Okocha, Kevin Nolan, Per Frandsen, Stig Tofting, Bo Hansen, Gareth Farrelly and Jermaine Johnson also in the squad.

Gartside quipped: "I'm not sure what formation we are going to play next season. Maybe Sam is going to turn the pitch around and play about eight in midfield."

qItalian defender Antonio Benarrivo claims he was on the verge of moving to the Reebok Stadium until Premiership rivals Fulham stepped in.

The 33-year-old former Italian international is available on a free transfer after being released by Serie A outfit Parma and he says he turned down approaches from Bolton and Birmingham City in order to join Fulham only to fail a medical with the London club.

He said: "Fulham have muddied my name by asserting I'm no longer in a position to be playing. And to think I said no to Parma, Bolton and Birmingham."