Wanderers stars John McGinlay and Aidan Davison were put on international alert today.

Injuries have boosted the Burnden pair's chances of gaining further recognition by their countries.

McGinlay was named in Scotland's 'B' squad for next week's trip to Denmark. But with Everton striker Duncan Ferguson facing Euro '96 heartache after a recurrence of his groin strain in last night' Merseyside derby, the Wanderers front man could yet find himself in Craig Brown's plans.

Goalkeeper Davison is in line for his Northern Ireland debut against Sweden after No. 1 Alan Fettis was pulled out with a thumb injury.

Irish boss Bryan Hamilton has drafted in Walsall's Trevor Wood behind Davison who will now be seen as the number one choice for the Belfast friendly.

Brown travelled to West Ham specifically to put McGinlay under the spotlight on Saturday but decided to leave him out of the first team squad in which Ferguson was selected along with Blackburn's Kevin Gallacher and Rangers' Ally McCoist. But if the Everton hit man is ruled out of the European Championships, it could open the door for McGinlays.

Goodison boss Joe Royle admitted today: "It's not an ideal situation and you can't go on treating the symptoms rather than curing the problem.

"I don't think it will need surgery, more likely complete rest. I've already told Craig there's a possibility that he'll be ruled out for the summer."

Meanwhile, Wanderers' Premiership dream could be officially over by 9.45pm tonight.

Unlikely victories for Southampton and Coventry at Newcastle and Nottingham Forest would mathematically condemn the Burnden boys to the Endsleigh League while anything other than two defeats would seriously dent Bolton's already wafer thin hopes of avoiding the drop.

Wanderers continue to cling to the outside chance that their Premiership pulse could still be beating when Southampton visit Burnden Park on Saturday week. "We know it is going to take a miracle, but you never know in this game," said Wanderers boss Colin Todd.

"It's a story of ifs and buts but we will carry on battling."

"It was a big disappointment to lose at West Ham last Saturday but there is no points being solemn. That only affects yourself and gets through to the players."

Wanderers reserves will look for another victory to help secure their status in the Pontins League top flight when they take on Wolves at Burnden Park tonight (7pm).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.