MICHAEL Bridges faces an anxious wait to learn if he will kick off his Wanderers career with a ban.

The new Reebok striker was sent off in last night's 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon on the club's two match Portugal tour and could be suspended for up to three games at the start of the Premiership season, if referee Pedro Henriques makes an official report of the incident.

The Portugal official has agreed to reconsider the second half incident when Bridges' late tackle on Sporting full back Paito earned him a red card.

As the former Sunderland and Leeds front man protested his innocence, Sam Allardyce urged the referee to take a lenient view.

"It was a little harsh," the manager said. "There were plenty more tackles flying around with more contact than Michael's. A yellow card would have sufficed.

"I was about to substitute Michael anyway because it was time for a change. It would be unfortunate if the sending off went through the official channels because he would be suspended.

"I hope that's not the case and that common sense prevails. We'll have to wait and see."

Euro 2004 hero Stelios has assured his Reebok bosses that he will not be involved in a Greece's bid to add Olympic glory to their European Championship triumph.

Wanderers feared the midfield ace, who is currently on holiday after featuring in the Greek's fairytale success in Portugal, could have been named as one of the three permitted over-age players in the Under-23 squad for the forthcoming Athens games.

But Stelios has told his Reebok bosses that, although he has accepted an invitation to fly the flag alongside his team-mates at the opening ceremony on August 13, he will not be staying on for the football competition, which would have meant him missing a handful of Premiership fixtures.

Wanderers have had similar assurances from new signing Radhi Jaidi, the big centre half is an established international with Tunisia, who are also competing in the Olympics, but has not been named in their squad.

"It's going to be a great honour for Stelios to fly the flag for Greece at the Olympics, especially with them hosting the games," Sam Allardyce said.

Wanderers could be hit early in the season by Ricardo Gardner's international commitments.

The dashing Jamaican has to cross the Atlantic for a World Cup qualifier against the USA on August 18 - the first mid week of the season. If the Reggae Boyz insist on their players reporting early, Gardner would miss the opening Premiership fixture at home to Charlton on August 14.