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Kevin Davies could come out of retirement against Wanderers for non-league Atherton Collieries next weekend.
The former England international is considering an invitation from Colls boss Michael Clegg to lace up his boots again when Phil Parkinson’s side kick-off their pre-season at Alder House on July 2.
Davies officially retired in September last year but has trained with the North West Counties League Premier Division club to improve his fitness in recent weeks.
It is just over three years since he last pulled on a Bolton shirt against Ipswich Town, the last of his 407 appearances for the club.
And speaking to The Bolton News, the 39-year-old did not rule out the prospect of playing against his beloved Wanderers one last time.
“I’ve done some training with the lads and it has gone well, so you never know,” he said. “I think Cleggy (Michael Clegg) wants to put me at centre-half!
“We will see how next week goes and make a decision but it would be nice to get out there for 45 minutes or so.”
Around 1,500 tickets have already been sold for the friendly, 200 of which were snapped up by the Colls’ squad.
Last year’s friendly was a sell-out and news of Davies’s involvement could make tickets the hottest in town.
“Kevin came into training and has been first class,” said Colls boss Clegg. “He has kept his cards close to his chest but I think you can tell he’s enjoying being back in among things.
“It might come down to what kind of shape he’s in. Kev is a proud lad and if he’s 40 per cent, he might feel he doesn’t want to be out there.
“But we have got a few more sessions and he’s working very hard, so to have him feature for the club would be a huge honour.”
The two sides fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw last summer with Kaiyne Woolery showing the kind of form in front of watching manager Neil Lennon that enabled him to force his way into the first team.
Wanderers will most likely name a youthful side once again – but Clegg says his players are making every effort to be prepared.
“The lads asked to start pre-season a couple of weeks early so they were ready for Bolton,” he said. “Every one of them are desperate to be involved and having Kev there has raised their game, even though they might not realise it.”
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The former England international is considering an invitation from Colls boss Michael Clegg to lace up his boots again when Phil Parkinson’s side kick-off their pre-season at Alder House on July 2.
Davies officially retired in September last year but has trained with the North West Counties League Premier Division club to improve his fitness in recent weeks.
It is just over three years since he last pulled on a Bolton shirt against Ipswich Town, the last of his 407 appearances for the club.
And speaking to The Bolton News, the 39-year-old did not rule out the prospect of playing against his beloved Wanderers one last time.
“I’ve done some training with the lads and it has gone well, so you never know,” he said. “I think Cleggy (Michael Clegg) wants to put me at centre-half!
“We will see how next week goes and make a decision but it would be nice to get out there for 45 minutes or so.”
Around 1,500 tickets have already been sold for the friendly, 200 of which were snapped up by the Colls’ squad.
Last year’s friendly was a sell-out and news of Davies’s involvement could make tickets the hottest in town.
“Kevin came into training and has been first class,” said Colls boss Clegg. “He has kept his cards close to his chest but I think you can tell he’s enjoying being back in among things.
“It might come down to what kind of shape he’s in. Kev is a proud lad and if he’s 40 per cent, he might feel he doesn’t want to be out there.
“But we have got a few more sessions and he’s working very hard, so to have him feature for the club would be a huge honour.”
The two sides fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw last summer with Kaiyne Woolery showing the kind of form in front of watching manager Neil Lennon that enabled him to force his way into the first team.
Wanderers will most likely name a youthful side once again – but Clegg says his players are making every effort to be prepared.
“The lads asked to start pre-season a couple of weeks early so they were ready for Bolton,” he said. “Every one of them are desperate to be involved and having Kev there has raised their game, even though they might not realise it.”
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