IT'S one of those frustrating football ironies that Colin Todd is forced to dip into his box of tricks for an emergency partner for John McGinlay while one of the best lies surplus to requirements in the opposition ranks.

Sheffield United boss Howard Kendall might have a midfield crisis on his hands but he has such an embarrassment of riches in attack that he's struggling to find a place in his squad for his top scorer, Andy Walker, who has scored 12 in just 17 starts this season.

And that will mean disappointment for the sentimentalists, including Walker himself, at Burnden Park tomorrow.

Walker reckons Kendall will stick with his recent £700,000 signing from Middlesbrough, Jan-Aage Fjortoft, and the Blade from Belarus, Petr Katchouro, as his front-line duo. That will leave him to contest a place on the bench with Wales international Robert Taylor.

"I really hope I'm going to be involved tomorrow," Walker says with a sincerity that illustrates the special relationship he will always have after spending two and a half memorable years of his footballing life at Burnden.

"This was the first game I looked for when the fixtures came out last summer. I'm glad to be fit and strong and available for selection but it's going to be frustrating if I'm not involved.

"I've been back to watch games but I've never played there since I left. I have fantastic memories of Bolton and they get better with the passage of time."

Those memories include a starring role in the magnificent FA Cup triumph at Anfield, where the fabulous giant-killing story started; hero worship on a scale unequalled since Frank Worthington's days; and a sensational 26-goal contribution to the 92-93 promotion before injury cruelly put him on crutches as the season reached its thrilling climax.

Walker reacts with characteristic modesty when he's reminded of the fact that more than 2,000 fans turned up to see his comeback from that damaged cruciate ligament.

By then, McGinlay had assumed the mantel of his fellow Scot, who has tracked his meteoric rise and says with the greatest of admiration of his old partner: "John has done ever so well to be as consistent as he has with his goalscoring - not just for Bolton but for Scotland too."

Towering popularity

In fact it is hard to imagine now, with 24-goal McGinlay at the height of his towering popularity, that it's just four years since he played in Andy Walker's shadow.

That was before stalled contract negotiations led to a dream return to his beloved Celtic.

"It was a strange old time," he recalls. "I'd had the knee injury. I remember I came back in the February and my first appearance was in the FA Cup tie at Arsenal, where I went on as sub and scored one of the goals.

"My contract was up at the end of the season and, to be fair, it was a decent contract they offered me to stay at Bolton. But it was only two years and I was looking for three because my daughter, Stephanie, would be starting school.

"I knocked it back in the hope of getting the extra year. Then 'Wee' Lou (Macari) came on the phone and that was me back up to Celtic.

"It was a priceless chance for me. My Dad only had a few months to live. He died in the October and it was great for me to have that time with him up there.

"It was a difficult time at the football club. Celtic were going through a transition period with Fergus McCann taking over but we won the cup and the following year the whole place took off. The share issue was ridiculously successful and they were able to spend millions and millions on big name players. I had to come back south again to get first team football.

"A lot has happened since I left Bolton but I'd do it all again if I got the chance!"

Walker's arrival at Bramall Lane helped spark a revival that saw the Blades, under new boss Kendall, dramatically hoist themselves off the foot of the table into a position of respectability. Now, following a massive injection of cash from a share issue, expectations are high.

But recent results - one victory in five games and just one point from a possible 12 - have seen Kendall's ambitious side stumble in their pursuit of promotion.

"We've started to concede a lot of goals and that's not like us," Walker admits.

"Injuries and suspensions have hit us hard but, hopefully, we can get everyone back soon and put together the sort of run we had last season.

"Bolton are obviously favourites to go up. They are playing the best football by far. Wolves have hit a strong patch and they'll be difficult to knock off that second spot. I've been impressed by QPR too but that's it, apart from ourselves.

"But there's plenty of points to be played for and we're looking to come to Burnden to get a win that will help us get back on track."

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