Bolton physio is in Africa to watch Okocha

Bolton are taking the unprecedented step of sending one of their backroom team to Tunisia to monitor Jay-Jay Okocha's fitness during the African Nations Cup.

The Nigerian playmaker was due to play his first match today against Morocco while his team-mates back in England face Aston Villa tonight in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at Villa Park.

Okocha inspired their 5-2 first-leg victory with two goals from free-kicks and club physio Faz Page will be at today's game during a week-long stay in Tunisia.

"All I am doing, basically, is just to shadow Jay-Jay and make sure that he gets his regular supplements and regular treatment," said Page. "We did not know what the back-up team or medical staff was like. Since I have been here I can see they are very well equipped. Jay-Jay is a prize asset for ourselves and for Nigeria and we are looking after him."

Meanwhile, Villa revealed today they lost £16.5million in the six months to November of last year - more than double their £8.1m losses for the same period in 2002.

Part of the reason for the larger deficit was the decision to offload Alpay and £5.8m flop Bosko Balaban this season. Balaban signed a five-year deal in 2001 but never started a Premiership game and his estimated £15,000-a-week wages meant Villa spent a total of £9million on the Croatian before releasing him on a free transfer last month.

Turkey international Alpay was released in October after becoming increasingly unhappy with his treatment by the club's fans, which was not helped by his controversial clash with David Beckham in the Euro 2004 qualifier against England in Istanbul.

Villa's overall turnover was up £1.1m to £19.1m on the previous year but operating expenses rose £3.2m to £24.8m.