Wanderers 1 Real Zaragoza 1 by Neil Bonnar: STELIOS is pushing for an unexpected start in Saturday's Premiership opener.

Despite the Greek having just two days' training and 15 minutes of action under his belt, Wanderers' assistant boss Phil Brown admits it would not surprise him if Stelios was in the team to face Charlton at the Reebok Stadium.

The way the good times just keep on rolling for the shaven-headed midfielder, there is a strong argument for making his the first name on the team sheet, and then getting him to do the National Lottery, football pools, premium bonds and a multiple accumulator on the horses on the club's behalf.

The way the fates are conspiring in his favour, Wanderers could have three points and be rid of their crippling debts by Saturday night.

Stelios is in dreamworld. Everything went right for him when Greece won the European Championship in the biggest international tournament surprise of all time.

After returning from his celebrations on Thursday, he brought a standing ovation and the biggest cheer of the day from the sun-drenched 3,567 crowd when he replaced the all-action Henrik Pedersen after 75 minutes with Wanderers trailing to Real Zaragoza's Goran Drulic's 38th minute close range lob over Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Four minutes later, he sparked yet more joy when Michael Bridge's 50-50 challenge spun inside the box and you-know-who was in the right place, at the right time, to coolly slot the equaliser under the advancing body of keeper Jorge Zaparain.

Stelios seemed light years away from making the opening day starting line-up as he recovered from his European Championship exertions while his Reebok team-mates were deep into their pre-season training and matches.

But Brown revealed he could be thrown straight in at the deep end.

"Stelios has come through his tests with flying colours," he said. "He will play 60 or 70 minutes of a private friendly in midweek, and if he comes through that, it would not surprise me if he pushes himself into the starting 11 against Charlton."

Judging from the tactics against the technically expert La Liga side, it would not be a surprise either if Wanderers switched their tactics to 4-4-2.

They looked comfortable and lively with Ivan Campo protecting centre halves Bruno N'Gotty and Rahdi Jaidi in his deep midfield role and the tireless Gary Speed racing from box to box.

Julio Cesar looked a class act at left back, despite being caught out of position for the goal, and Ricardo Gardner would no doubt relish continuing in a left wing role.

Les Ferdinand was a handful, and Pedersen determined and direct up front for the first 45 minutes, although it would be a major surprise if Kevin Davies did not start as long as he has fully recovered from an absess in his mouth.