Tranmere v Bolton preview

25 August 2009 10:21
Bolton are hoping to kick-start their season at Tranmere in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, while John Barnes will be out to claim a Premier League scalp. Wanderers have begun the new season in disappointing fashion, suffering consecutive 1-0 defeats to Sunderland and Hull City in the Premier League despite creating a host of opportunities. Liverpool are their next league opponents, but this match presents a chance for Bolton's players to rediscover their scoring touch and manager Gary Megson insists it is high time the club enjoyed some success in the cup. "Every game we play is an opportunity to kick on," he said. "This is an opportunity to get into the next round of the cup, so that's what we'll be looking at. "It's nothing to do with the game that's just gone, its nothing to do with the game that's coming up - it's just a one-off, a cup tie and we want to put a strong side out." Full-back Gretar Steinsson could be in line for his first start of the season. The Iceland defender has missed Wanderers' opening two fixtures, but recovered from a virus to take his place on the bench at Hull and is now back in contention for a starting spot. Megson will again be without Ricardo Gardner, Joey O'Brien and Ricardo Vaz Te through injury. Tranmere boss Barnes will be without on-loan Blackburn defender Gavin Gunning. The rookie centre-back is at Prenton Park on a month's loan but Rovers have refused him permission to play in the Carling Cup. He was in side that lost 3-0 at Leeds on Saturday but was withdrawn in the 40th minute after a problem with blisters. Gunning was replaced by Ash Taylor, who could now be handed a starting role against the Premier League outfit. Striker Bas Savage remains sidelined and is not expected to play until the New Year because of a ruptured Achilles tendon injury which he sustained towards the end of last season.

Source: SKY_Sports