Everton Preview

Last updated : 07 May 2004 By Mark Heys
Bolton Wanderers travel to Merseyside tommorow hoping to continue their impressive recent run of form which has seen them win the last four games in succession.

Their opponents Everton are what stands in the way of a record fifth win in a row in Premiership competition and given the Trotters recent performances at Goodison Park they have every right to expect a very open game where league positioning and form goes out the window.

Sam Allardyce's men are now in with an outside chance of making Europe and they know another win at Goodison tommorow will have the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool anxoiusly looking over their shoulders and with this in mind Allardyce is set to resist temptation to tinker with the squad.

Jamaican international Ricardo Gardner has given Bolton a huge boost after declaring himself match fit for the game following a four month lay off with knee ligament damage. Emerson Thome is doubtful so former Charlton Athletic defender Anthony Barness is waiting in the wings should the Brazilian fail to play. Goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts and Kevin Poole will be fighting it out to sit on the substitutes bench as back up for regular custodian Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Everton manager David Moyes is expected to be without trio Thomas Gravesen, Kevin Kilbane and Gary Naysmith for the rest of the season through injury whilst Steve Watson will face a late fitness test. Former Bolton skipper Alan Stubbs and summer Wanderers target David Unsworth are very doubtful. Midfielder Leon Osman is expected to make his full home debut for the Toffees having impressed during last weekend's 2-1 defeat to relegated Wolves where he was to hit the Everton consolation.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

PETER BEARDSLEY
BRIAN BORROWS
MARTIN DOBSON
GARETH FARRELLY
ALBERT GELDARD
ASA HARTFORD
GLENN KEELEY
BRIAN KIDD
PAUL LODGE
IAN MARSHALL
JIM MCDONAGH
NEIL MCDONALD
JOHN O'KANE
PETER REID
DENNIS STEVENS
ALAN STUBBS
MIKE WALSH