By Mark Heys
April 23 2007

Wanderers have an injury crisis to contend with going into their crunch match with Premiership holders Chelsea this coming weekend. Kevin Nolan, Nicky Hunt and El-Hadji Diouf where all withdrawn during the first half of Saturday's 3-1 defeat against Reading and are expected to miss the trip down to Stamford Bridge.

Defenders Tal Ben-Haim and Abdoulaye Faye are also struggling to make the trip to the capital and this is undoubtedly a huge source of concern for Bolton manager Sam Allardyce going into what will be the biggest three matches of the Premiership season.

"It's going to be very difficult to get something out of Chelsea on Saturday, The injury situation is a growing concern and with a lack of bodies in the squad we are going to be stretched over the next few weeks." said Allardyce to the official Bolton website

"All five players are unlikely to be fit for the weekend .Hunty could be missing for two weeks, Nobby (Kevin Nolan) for around ten days and Dioufy a fortnight.Tal Ben Haim has felt a problem with his knee again and Abdoulaye Faye is still struggling.

"The outlook is not looking good in what is the most important period of the season."

Bolton had to recall Slovakian centre half Lubomir Michalik from a loan spell with Leeds United and he put in a starring performance when thrown in for his debut as a substitute at the weekend.

Cesar Martin, a short term signing from Levante in February, may also now be thrown in at the deep end due to the injuries which have decimated the Wanderers defensive options.