THERE'S nothing to banish the winter blues like a spot of sunshine on your back.

So while you lot all shiver at home, spare a thought for me and the Bolton lads as we enjoy a spot of training La Manga-style.

I'm not sure many of the holidaymakers here were too happy when 20-odd footballers all barged into the hotel reception but, you have to say, this is the life!

It's just another example of the difference between the likes of Burnley and Bolton at present and one more reason why all footballers want to be playing in the Premiership.

This training trip must have cost a packet, but all the Bolton lads not on international duty are over here in Spain for the week - even the young pros.

You'll be happy to know it's not one long holiday though. We are being put through our paces with training sessions in the morning and the afternoon with a four-hour break inbetween for a spot of lunch - not on the balcony I might add!

However, at least its training with a bit of sunshine and under shady palm trees instead of the lousy weather I hear you've been having back home.

When the lads told me what we had coming up I couldn't believe it, and in February there's another trip booked to Dubai, although that's still a bit too far away for me to be contemplating at the moment.

It's been a strange old time to tell you the truth. Over my two-month period at Bolton there are only six games scheduled and then came the injury that knocked me back early on.

Now I'm fit again its a break for international week and I still feel like I haven't really got started. It was frustrating to be on the bench again against Aston Villa, and the way the game panned out I knew I wasn't going to get a run out. I finally came on in stoppage time and didn't even touch the ball, so I'm still waiting for that big chance.

But I know I'm here to give Sam Allardyce the chance to have a good look at me in training as much as anything, so I can't be too despondent.

Bolton are unbeaten since I arrived, so all I can do is keep working hard and hoping for a chance.

The lads at Burnley don't seem to be doing too bad either - and at least the gaffer is getting some peace and quiet without me around!

Everyone here was delighted to hear Delroy Facey scored his first ever hat-trick. I know from my short time what a popular lad he is around the Reebok and most of the lads have asked me at one time or another how he and Gareth Farrelly are doing.

It will be a bit of a celebration for me too next week. Quite a few of my mates are coming up at the weekend for the England game, followed by my 28th birthday on Wednesday.

Hopefully Sven and the boys can give me an early present!