Laville was on loan from Lyon (MichaelStreele/GettyImages)

Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside has revealed they are aiming to sign defender Florent Laville on a permanent contract. Laville helped the club avoid relegation with a string of impressive performances after arriving from Lyon on loan in January. Gartside said: 'We have got a pot of money for wages and transfers. Within that we hope to secure Florent and bring in a striker. We had him on loan for three months and in that time he did exceptionally well.' [+]

Aghahowa and Yobo for U23s

The national Under-23 team have pencilled down 22 overseas-based players including Super Eagles stars Julius Aghahowa and Joseph Yobo for next month's Olympic qualifier against Namibia in Abuja, www.kickoffnigeria.com has gathered.

This move will finally put into the thrash can a policy championed by outgoing sports minister Steven Ibn-Akiga that such established international stars like Aghahowa and Yobo should not feature for any age-group teams.

"We need these players," simply said a top team official on Saturday.

"And even though they have not been part of our plans all this while, they are pros and need just a day or two to know what we expect of them on the pitch."

Also being considered for the 14 June shoot out at the new Abuja Stadium are Femi Opabunmi, Haruna Babangida, Chris Ogbodo and Obafemi Martins, who are all making their marks at the various European clubs.

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Ibrahim Galadima told www.kickoffnigeria.com that at least six foreign-based pros will be called up tofortify the Olympic team.

But team officials told www.kickoffnigeria.com that they require more pros to ensure Namibia do not cause an upset on the road to booking a place in the league stage of the qualifying series.

"For the last Olympics qualifiers, (Jo) Bonfrere used a team made up entirely of players from abroad and if we have to do same to ensure we make it to the next round of the competition, we will do so. This is not the time and place to gamble," said another team official.

Akwuegbu on fire Benedict Akwuegbu powered home a first half goal on Saturday against SV Ried to keep his Austrian club in the hunt for a Uefa Champions League spot. Grazer AK won 3-1 away at Ried with their impressive Nigerian forward leading from the front with a powerfully nodded header after 37 minutes. However, with GAK's nearest rivals SV Salzburg also winning their league match there will be everything to play for when the teams clash on Saturday. The winner of this match-up could well be assured of the remaining Uefa Champions League spot in Austria, as there will then be only a game left in the Bundesliga.

Kanu-less Arsenal retain Cup With Nwankwo Kanu made to watch from the subs' bench for all 90 minutes, Arsenal retained their English FA Cup on Saturday at the expense on Southampton. A goal in the first half by French international Robert Pires was all that the London Gunners needed to brush aside Southampton, who to their credit, though, ensured it was not a one-sided affair. The non-appearance of Kanu in the Cup Final should further raise more questions about the player's future at Highbury.