GERRY Taggart returned to training today, proving that reports of his season having already ended were greatly exaggerated.

"I've no idea where the suggestion came from that I was out for the season," the Wanderers centre-back said, referring to a recent tabloid story.

"I've had a frustrating time of it, one nightmare after another, but all being well I'll be back in contention once I've got a couple of reserve games under my belt."

Taggart has not started a game since helping Wanderers to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on October 26.

He served a six-match ban for red and yellow card offences then suffered a groin injury in his first reserve team test. An attempted comeback as substitute in the Boxing Day game against his former club Barnsley lasted just five minutes before he suffered a recurrence of the injury.

Fit again two weeks later, he damaged his ankle in his first training session.

"I'll be taking it easy for the first couple of days," Taggart said, crossing his fingers and hoping for the best.

"Being realistic I don't think I'll be ready in time for the Leicester game (March 28) but I'm champing at the bit to get back."

Wanderers boss Colin Todd was given food for thought when he saw four trialists impress in the reserves last night.

Portuguese pair Jose Armindo Moreira and Rodrigo Bruno De Moura turned out to be lively wingers, Frenchman Pascal Camadini, who played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wrexham last month, impressed again in midfield and 18-year-old Everton defender Chris Lane, did well at full-back.

Todd has been scouring the markets in an effort to bolster his survival squad but it was looking increasingly unlikely today that he would be making any new recruits in time for Saturday's home game against Sheffield Wednesday - the first of three successive Reebok fixtures that could keep Premiership hopes alive.

There were mixed blessings for Bolton fans in last night's fixtures with bottom club Crystal Palace being crushed 6-2 at Chelsea while Barnsley stretched their lead over Wanderers to four points with a 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

There were question marks over Peter Beardsley's future prospects today after Manchester City boss Joe Royle said he would not be extending the transfer-listed striker's loan stay at Maine Road.

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