BURNLEY captain Steven Caldwell played his first game for almost two months yesterday and scored as the Clarets drew 1-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Bolton Wanderers.

The central defender has been sidelined with a thigh tendon injury since limping out of the home defeat to Southampton at the end of October.

But he came through 90 minutes unscathed at Gawthorpe as he looks to step up his fitness ahead of the gruelling Christmas schedule.

And Clarets boss Owen Coyle admitted he was delighted with the defender's progress.

He said: "Steven came through today's game without any problems and now we just have to wait and see if there is any reaction.

"Obviously it is great news, especially after seeing him get on the goal trail."

Stephen Jordan and John Spicer also returned after injury amd Coyle used the match to run the rule over a number of trialists.

However, the Clarets boss would not name those involved, to prevent the risk of other clubs being alerted to their availability, although he explained that the trials were set up before his appointment last month..