MIXU Paatelainen is all set to start his season all over again.

The beefy Wanderers striker's Premiership campaign has lasted just one game so far after suffering hernia damage in the opening day defeat at Wimbledon.

But he has delighted Burnden bosses Roy McFarland and Colin Todd with his recent recovery rate and is pencilled in for competitive action in the reserves tomorrow night.

"We will have a good look at Mixu today and if he comes through he will play at least part of the game against Oldham," declared Roy McFarland today.

"Mixu's as frustrated as anyone with not being able to play a part. But he has had a good week of training and we have been very pleased with his progress."

While Paatelainen was boosted by a change in fortunes, another Burnden star has been hit by a crushing suspension setback. England Under-21 ace Alan Thompson was rocked by a four-match international ban following his sending off in Portugal which ruled him out of last night's draw in Norway.

Thompson was waiting to learn if last night's friendly clash counts or if he must sit out four Under-21 European Championship games.

Wanderers were today due to begin discussions with Yugoslav midfielder Dragan Curcic over a possible £1 million-plus deal.

The OFK Belgrade star is one definite target in an enormous list of players McFarland and Todd are eyeing in their search to boost Premiership squad.

If talks are successful the Burnden bosses will then set the wheels in motion to make Curcic's stay at Burnden Park permanent.

This week's mountain of speculation heightened today when reports linked Stoke City's Paul Peschisolido with a possible move to Bolton - adding to the names of Aberdeen trio Scott Booth, Billy Dodds and Duncan Shearer and Hull City's £1million-rated Dean Windass.

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