Weekend results saw the Wanderers go down 2-0 at Craven Cottage whilst the Saints recorded a thrilling 3-2 victory in their home tie against Blackburn Rovers, however this was not enough to keep manager Paul Sturrock in a job and he left the South Coast club by mutual consent on Monday leaving coach Steve Wigley in charge for Bolton's midweek visit.
Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce has a slight doubt over striker Henrik Pedersen who was withdrawn midway through the second half over the weekend so his possible omission could mean places for either Stelios Giannakopoulos, Les Ferdinand or Michael Bridges. Recent signing El-Hadji Diouf is still not ready for first team action but has been earmarked for the local derby against Manchester United in two weeks time. Florent Laville remains the Trotters only long term absentee.
Saints caretaker boss Wigley is without long term absentees Michael Svensson, Chris Baird, Matthew Oakley and Marian Pahars however there is good news concerning the fitness of defender Claus Lundekvamn who managed to play in the win over Rovers despite suffering from a facial injury. Former Norwich City full back Darren Kenton is also close to full fitness following a recent thigh problem.
Last season Bolton secured their first ever win at St Mary's as Southampton old boy Kevin Davies came back to haunt his former employers back in April. The previous two meetings on the ground had both ended goalless as had Bolton's league match against the South Coast club in the reverse fixture at the Reebok Stadium with the Trotters coming out on top in the cup meeting between the two clubs a month later thanks to a goal from Henrik Pedersen.
Bolton will be hoping that the curse of managerless clubs will not be upon them on Wednesday evening. Usually when a club has parted with their manager the omens are that the particular club go on a decent run of form but with the weekend defeat at Fulham still fresh in the memory the Wanderers are sure to be going all out at St Marys.
LAST SEASON
24/04/2004 SOUTHAMPTON 1 BOLTON WANDERERS 2 (PREMIERSHIP)
15/12/2004 BOLTON WANDERERS 1 SOUTHAMPTON 0 (CARLING CUP QF)
08/11/2003 BOLTON WANDERERS 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0 (PREMIERSHIP)
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Jack Bradley
Simon Charlton
Kevin Davies
Stuart Gray
Trevor Hebbard
David Lee
Sammy Lee
Peter Reid
Stuart Ripley
Peter Shilton
Rod Wallace
Frank Worthington
Bill Wrigglesworth