Bolton v Stoke preview

18 September 2009 10:36
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Bolton will be hoping to build on their first points of the season last weekend as they host Stoke on Saturday.[LNB] The Trotters lost their opening three fixtures before battling to a 3-2 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park last Saturday.[LNB]The win marked a return to goalscoring form for Gary Megson's side who have now netted five in their last two games after an abysmal start in front of goal with their striking options somewhat limited.[LNB]Tony Pulis has no such problem as Stoke have a wealth of attacking options with Dave Kitson, Ricardo Fuller and new arrival Tuncay battling it out for the front line as James Beattie struggles for fitness.[LNB]Stoke have enjoyed a solid start to the season with two home wins but have yet to score away from the Britannia this term, something that Pulis' strikers will be keen to rectify.[LNB]Bolton TeamBolton started the Pompey game with Kevin Davies up front on his own but with home advantage against Stoke, Megson may be tempted to use another forward to support the big man up front.[LNB]That would leave new signing Ivan Klasnic to battle it out with Johan Elmander, who continues to struggle in a Trotters shirt.[LNB]Ricardo Gardner is still missing for the home side as he recovers from a hamstring injury while Sean Davis is available for selection again after serving his suspension.[LNB]Davis' return may oust Mark Davies from the side after Tamir Cohen made an impressive impact in the win at Fratton Park last week.[LNB]Stoke NewsStoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen should be fit to return from a thigh strain for the trip to Bolton.[LNB]Sorensen limped off in the first half of last Saturday's defeat by Chelsea but he has responded to treatment and since returned to training.[LNB]Beattie, who burst a blood vessel in his ankle in the same game, is a serious doubt despite the injury being not as serious as first feared.[LNB]Pulis is likely to make further changes after selecting three centre-backs against Chelsea, with wingers Liam Lawrence and Matthew Etherington back in contention.[LNB]Mamady Sidibe remains a long-term absentee as he struggles to overcome a knee problem sustained last season.[LNB]Possible starting XIBolton: Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Samuel; Steinsson, Cohen, Davis, Muamba, Taylor; K Davies.[LNB]Stoke: Simonsen; Wilkinson, Huth, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Collins, Delap, Whitehead, Whelan; Fuller, Kitson.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports