WANDERERS may be rookies in Europe but the very fact that they are an English Premiership team - something Reebok fans may take for granted - has earned them the respect of their foreign rivals.

Commenting after Tuesday's draw for the group phase of the UEFA Cup, Sevilla coach Juande Ramos ignored top seeds Besiktas and acknowledged the Whites as the major threat to his hopes of qualifying for the last 32.

And while the draw might have been greeted with a combination of satisfaction and trepidation at the Reebok, it appears to have gone down well in St Petersburg.

Vlastimi Petrjela, the Czech coach of Zenit, expressed a desire to face an English team - and was delighted to have his wish granted.

Bolton fans can expect to see well-organised, technically proficient opponents when the Russians come to the Reebok on Thursday, November 3. But they should not expect to see an expansive performance from the visitors.

For any English supporters thinking the Premiership is boring should spare a thought for their Russian cousins.

Zenit were involved in an uninspiring scoreless draw with FC Saturna last weekend. But the match was by no means exceptional in its lack of thrills.

The 16 teams in the Russian First Division managed just six goals between them.