Bolton V Blackpool at Reebok Stadium : Match Preview

03 May 2013 12:31
Bolton V Blackpool - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Wheater set to end long wait

David Wheater is poised to make his first start for nearly a year when Bolton look to secure an npower Championship play-off berth with victory against Blackpool.

Craig Dawson's return to parent club West Brom at the end of his loan stint creates a vacancy alongside Zat Knight at the heart of defence, with Tim Ream and Matt Mills also in contention.

But Wheater appears favourite to get the nod from boss Dougie Freedman, having recovered from a calf strain that has hindered him in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old has three substitute appearances to his name since returning from a long-term knee injury against Hull at the end of February, while Ream and Mills have featured even more sparingly.

USA international Ream last played in the 2-1 defeat at Watford, three weeks before Wheater's comeback, while a hamstring complaint has played its part in Mills only featuring once since the turn of the year.

David Ngog (shoulder), Jay Spearing (toe) and Mark Davies (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Blackpool could be without skipper Alex Baptiste, who missed out on the dramatic safety-clinching victory over Derby due to a hamstring injury.

Isaiah Osbourne will hope to feature having missed out on the matchday squad on his return from suspension last weekend, while youngster James Caton could make his professional debut and feature at some stage in midfield.

Ludo Sylvestre scored a late winner against Derby, his third goal in five matches having also settled the 1-0 win over Burnley at Bloomfield Road last month, and the French midfielder is keen to sign off in style.

He told Blackpool's official website: "We know that Bolton is still an important game because it is a derby match and we always want to play well in that type of game away from home.

"We have to have a good game and then we can perhaps relax after it."


Source: PA