SATURDAY

MICHAEL Ricketts steals the show at Wanderers beat Bury 2-1 at Gigg Lane in their first pre-season friendly on home soil. The summer signing wins the penalty Per Frandsen converts to open the scoring then scores the second with a cool finish. The game is marred by injuries to Mark Fish and Robbie Elliott, adding to Sam Allardyce's problems. The manager misses the game as he makes a flying visit to Holland to check out possible transfer targets.

FORMER Dutch international Regi Blinker heads a posse of five trialists fielded in the second half of Wanderers' final pre-season friendly at Chester. The game ends 0-0 but the result is of less significance than the appearance of Blinker, formerly of Feyenoord, Sheffield Wednesday and Celtic alongside two Portuguese players, an Aussie defender and the 'mystery' Italian striker, who looks impressive.

TUESDAY

SAM Allardyce tells Blinker he has two weeks to prove himself if he wants to earn a contract with Wanderers. Negotiations with the 18-year-old un-named Italian continue.

WEDNESDAY

WANDERERS confirm they have cut the size of the Reebok pitch, reducing its length and breadth by four yards. The manager explains that a lack of wingers has prompted him to shrink the playing surface but he admits he is also hoping to take a leaf out of Arsenal's book - the Gunners having enjoyed success over the years on the tightest of pitches. Franck Passi, released in the Spring, is given a new short-term contract with the incentive that the deal could be extended for the rest of the season ... Jussi Jaaskelainen is named in the Finland squad for Wednesday's friendly against Norway in Helsinki. ... Jamaican international Winston Griffiths joins the trialists in a 5-3 win at Bamber Bridge. Blackburn, Crystal Palace and Sunderland 'spies' are in the crowd. Season ticket sales top 10,000.

THURSDAY

PER Frandsen is named in the Denmark squad for a friendly in the Faroe Isles ... Wanderers give their fans a drop of cheer by announcing plans for a 'Happy Hour' at the Reebok on matchdays - cheap beer and a new hour-long Wanderers TV programme.

ALLARDYCE makes 11th hour attempts to sign Bradford City striker Isiah Rankin on loan to cover for his injury and suspension-hit attack.