Bolton v Newcastle preview

27 February 2009 10:31
olton and Newcastle will both be aiming to pull further clear of trouble when they do battle at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday.[LNB] Gary Megson's Trotters appear to have recovered from a poor run of form around the turn of the year, winning two of their last three games.[LNB]A 2-1 success against West Ham last Saturday lifted Bolton to 12th in the table and they are now seven points above the relegation places.[LNB]They will be looking to claim three more points at home at the end of a week which has seen Megson dismiss reports suggesting he could be replaced by Burnley boss Owen Coyle at the end of the season.[LNB]Johan Elmander and Gavin McCann both returned following injury for the clash with the Hammers and are in contention once again after coming through the match unscathed.[LNB]Joey O'Brien remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month so Megson could be tempted to name an unchanged starting XI.[LNB]Nolan suspendedNewcastle are just two points behind Bolton and will be eager to leapfrog their opponents to boost their own survival hopes.[LNB]The Magpies are unbeaten in three games, having beaten West Brom and drawn with Sunderland and Everton.[LNB]They had to battle hard for their goalless draw against Everton after Kevin Nolan was sent off for a sickening tackle on Victor Anichebe.[LNB]Midfielder Nolan is therefore suspended for the trip to Bolton, although Alan Smith and Obafemi Martins could both figure after returning from injury.[LNB]Joey Barton, Michael Owen, Habib Beye and Danny Guthrie are all long-term absentees.[LNB]Possible starting XIsBolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier, Samuel, McCann, Gardner. M Davies, Taylor, Elmander, K Davies.[LNB]Newcastle: Harper, S Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Enrique, Gutierrez, Butt, Geremi, R Taylor, Duff, Martins.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports