By Mark Heys
November 9 2006

Bolton hope to get back to winning ways this Saturday afternoon as they take on Premiership strugglers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

It will be the first time ever that these two sides have met in the Premiership with the last meeting overall coming five years ago on the final day of the 2000-2001 season.

The scores where tied at 1-1 at the Reebok Stadium on that afternoon in May 2001 as right back Dean Holden, returning from a broken leg, headed home a last gasp equaliser for Bolton just moments after veteran midfielder Franck Passi was dismissed for hacking down United's Paul Devlin.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then as Bolton have appeared in a major cup final and have also debuted in European football for the first time in their history.

The Blades on the other hand make a return to the Premiership after a thirteen year absence this season and manager Neil Warnock is keen to see that his hometown club stay there for as long as possible.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is likely to keep faith with striker El-Hadji Diouf despite the fact that the Senegal international was arrested earlier this week following a family disturbance.

Versatile defender cum midfielder Quinton Fortune is still doubtful with a calf strain but skipper Kevin Nolan returns to the fold following a three match suspension.

United will be without full back Chris Armstrong for the visit of the Trotters as the former Bury and Oldham Athletic player was ruled out for most of the season with a knee injury

Experienced striker Ade Akinbiyi and defender Leigh Bromby remain doubts but influential midfielder Michael Tonge misses the next few matches owing to a recent ankle injury.

PREMIERSHIP RECORD

No previous Premiership meetings

PREMIERSHIP FORM GUIDE:

First Premiership meeting between the two sides

CONNECTIONS

Malcolm Barrass, Nathan Blake, Andy Campbell, Franz Carr, Aidan Davison, Bob Hatton, David Holdsworth, Garry Jones, Andy Kennedy, Mark Patterson, Tony Philliskirk, Martin Pike, Terry Poole, Billy Russell, Andy Walker.

IT HAPPENED WHEN BOLTON PLAYED THE BLADES

Nathan Blake scored on his return to Sheffield United when these two sides met at Bramall Lane in November 1996. The Welshman had joined Bolton for a club record £1.5 million one year previously in a deal which also included midfielder Mark Patterson.

Ex-Sheffield United captain David Holdsworth had a short spell at Bolton with twin brother Dean in the 2002-2003 season, playing one league cup match against Bury.

Dean Holden broke his leg when these two sides met in the old Division 1 in March 2000. The young full back spent over a year out of the game following a clash with Lee Sandford and his return game ironically came against the Blades.

Former Wanderers favourite Scott Sellars is now coaching at the Sheffield United youth academy