Relegation-threatened Bolton must win and hope at tired Stoke
By Julian Shea.
Kick off Sunday 13 May 2012 at 15:00, Britannia Stadium.
Bolton never seem to have quite recovered from last season's FA Cup semi-final 5-0 mauling by Stoke at Wembley - but on Sunday they will have the ultimate motivation for revenge; survival.That FA Cup final appearance put Stoke into the Europa League, and that could end up doing Bolton a favour, as the extra fixtures seem to be catching up with Tony Pulis's side at the end of a marathon 56-game season, with them having won just once in their last 10 games.
The Potters' only fitness doubt is over Marc Wilson (back) but if he fails to recover in time, fit-again Andy Wilkinson could deputise.
Matthew Etherington was on the bench for last week's last-gasp loss to QPR, and could be recalled to the side.
Few sets of fans have been put through the emotional wringer as much as Bolton's this season, and now we are down to the final day, their torment is still not over.
Even victory here will not necessarily keep them up, as QPR - one place above them - are two points and nine goals better off.
But with Rangers taking their appalling away record to title-chasing Manchester City - they of the unbeaten home record - the Trotters are sure to give it everything they have, in the hope of a QPR slip-up.
Defender David Wheater will play no part, though, having suffered serious cruciate ligament damage last time out against West Brom, but winger Chung Yong Lee could be in line for his first start in nine injury-affected months, having come off the bench last weekend.
Nigel Reo-Coker and Martin Petrov will need late checks, and manager Owen Coyle will hope midfielder Mark Davies has recovered from his midweek illness, but Gretar Steinsson is out with a thigh strain.
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