COLIN Todd admitted he was as much in the dark as anyone today as the 'Scott Sellars for England' speculation continued. The 33-year-old Wanderers captain has been tipped for a surprise call as Kevin Keegan looks for a solution to his problems on the left of midfield.

The caretaker England boss is due to name his squad for the March 27 Euro qualifier against Poland tomorrow and the dearth of left-sided attacking players has caused a full-scale guessing game in the media.

Keegan remains tight-lipped but his previous connections with Sellars - he managed him at Newcastle where they developed a mutual admiration - has put the Bolton skipper in the frame. "Kevin gave me a lot of confidence as a player," Sellars recalls of his St James' Park days. "He was the one manager up until then who told me to go out and do what you're good at."

On Keegan's appointment he said: "The first thing he will get is the respect of the players. I cannot speak highly enough of him as a manager."

Nevertheless, a call tomorrow for an uncapped, non-Premiership player well into his thirties, would be a shock. "It would certainly be a tremendous tonic for Scott and for Bolton Wanderers," was Todd's reaction to the rumour.

"But I've heard nothing to suggest he will be in the squad. I know Kevin thinks Scott is a good player from their days together at Newcastle and he's certainly done well for us.

"It could be speculation, it could be for real - I don't know. But it would be brilliant if it was true." Mike Whitlow is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, possibly longer, after a scan on his right knee, injured in Saturday's 2-1 win against QPR, showed ligament damage.

"He'll be out at least three weeks, possibly four or five or even longer," Todd confirmed. "We'll just have to monitor him."

Keith Branagan continues his bid for a full recovery after hernia surgery in the Reserves against Tranmere at the Reebok tonight. Lee Potter has put his hopes of a comeback on hold after picking up a knee injury in training.

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