New Bolton centre-back Tim Ream is unlikely to make his Wanderers debut in their Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium. Ream's transfer from the New York Red Bulls was confirmed last week, but the United States international has been back in his homeland sorting out passport issues related to the move and Trotters boss Owen Coyle says it will be "tight" for him to get back in time for the Gunners match.
Fellow defender Tyrone Mears, a summer signing from Burnley, could make his bow for Bolton and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen may return to the team after both were on the bench for Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Swansea having recovered from a broken leg and thigh problem respectively. Coyle is glad his team is currently free of the "stigma" attached to being in the Barclays Premier League relegation zone - but stressed they must keep up their recent good form to ensure that is still the case at the end of the season.
Wanderers pulled themselves out of the bottom three with an impressive 3-1 home victory over Liverpool in their last league outing and are now 17th in the table. However, Coyle knows plenty can happen in the remaining 16 games and, after a run of only two defeats in their last nine games in all competitions, he wants to maintain that momentum.
"I think there is always a stigma involved in being in those (relegation) positions," Coyle said ahead of tomorrow's home game with Arsenal.
"But the important time to be out of the bottom three is after the last game of the season, ask any manager and they will tell you that.
"We have now given ourselves a foundation and a platform to continue the good work that we have done in the last month and a half or so, but to do that we need to be at our best. The Premier League is unforgiving and you have to be at your very best every time you cross that white line."
Arsenal will have Swiss defender Johan Djourou (calf) available. Full-back Bacary Sagna returned from four months out with a broken ankle with a late substitute appearance in the 3-2 FA Cup win over Aston Villa, but may be rested. Thierry Henry and Mikel Arteta (both calf) are available.
Full-back Kieran Gibbs (groin) has returned to normal training, but Carl Jenkinson (back), Andre Santos (ankle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (hamstring) are still out while strikers Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho are away at the African Nations Cup and midfielder Jack Wilshere suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
Arsene Wenger admits his players will have to dig deep to find the energy to go again at Bolton having producing a rousing second-half performance against Villa to book their place in the last 16. "It was a very demanding game physically," he said. "Now it is important that we recover and prepare well."
Bolton V Arsenal - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Source: PA
