By Mark Heys
January 11 2008

Bolton Wanderers defeat in their FA Cup game against Sheffield United last weekend was the Trotters first at home since late October but Gary Megson's side have a chance to put things right when they meet local rivals Blackburn Rovers at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Megson has yet to lose a home league game since taking charge of the Wanderers back in the Autumn and the visit of Rovers is a big test when you consider that Bolton haven't beaten their local rivals at home since February 2000.

Mark Hughes has got his Blackburn side playing well and in the hunt for a European place but as far as the recent form guide goes there is not too much difference between the two teams.

But for the cup blips last weekend the two near neighbours have started the year off on a good note and for Bolton that was important especially when considering the way 2007 had started and ended.

January has not come without its difficulties though, with Bolton having had to deal with non-stop speculation regarding the future of their top scorer Nicolas Anelka who has recently seen a bid from Chelsea rejected.

If Anelka is still with the club at the weekend then it is unclear if the Frenchman will take any part so Stelios Giannakopoulos may be in line to keep his starting place.

Bolton are sure to welcome back Jussi Jaaskelainen, Ricardo Gardner and Ivan Campo after they where excused from cup action last weekend. There is also a return for striker Kevin Davies against his former club after he served a one match ban last time out.

El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite are both unavailable due to their commitments in the African Nations Cup so Megson will have to alter his line up somewhat.

Diouf's unavailablity plus the constant hype surrounding Anelka leaves Bolton short of attacking options as Ricardo Vaz-Te and Heidar Helguson continue to be troubled by long term injuries.

Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemaili and Israeli signing Tamir Cohen hope to be involved against Blackburn after making their Trotters debut in the FA Cup game.

Blackburn have doubts over Brett Emerton. Jason Roberts, Stephen Reid and top marksman Roque Santa Cruz, whilst defender Andre Ooijer is definately out owing to a hamstring problem.

LAST TIME WE MET:

04/03/2007 BOLTON WANDERERS 1 (Anelka) BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 (McCarthy 2 (Pens))

BOLTON: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Nicky Hunt, Tal Ben-Haim, Abdoulaye Faye, Henrik Pedersen, Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo, Gary Speed (Andranik Teimourian), Stelios Giannakopoulos (Ricardo Vaz-Te), Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf

SUBS NOT USED: Ricardo Gardner, Idan Tal, Ian Walker (GK)

ROVERS: Brad Freidal, Brett Emerton, Christopher Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Stephen Warnock, Morten Gamst Pedersen, David Dunn, Aaron Mokoena, David Bentley (Paul Gallagher), Matt Derbyshire (Jason Roberts), Benni McCarthy

SUBS NOT USED: Zurab Khizanishvili, Tugay, Jason Brown (GK)

PLAYED FOR BOTH:

Nathan Blake, John Byrom, Paul Comstive, Walter Crook, Malcolm Darling, Kevin Davies, Youri Djorkaeff, Reg Elvy, Per Frandsen, Colin Hendry, George Higgins, Matt Jansen, Glenn Keeley, Andy Kennedy, Bobby Langton, Jason McAteer, Harry McShane, Mark Patterson, Leam Richardson, Stuart Ripley, Mike Salmon, Scott Sellars, Gordon Taylor, Chris Thompson, David Thompson, Andy Todd, Paul Warhurst

DID YOU KNOW:

Four penalties where given to Blackburn in the two fixtures between the two sides last season.

Bolton skipper Kevin Nolan was shown the first red card of his career in the game at Ewood Park in October 2006.

Rovers midfielder David Dunn was just 10 minutes from signing for Bolton in January 2007 before Mark Hughes took him back to Blackburn for a second spell.