Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Last updated : 16 April 2004 By Mark Heys
Bolton Wanderers welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Reebok Stadium tommorow hoping to build on the Easter weekend success which saw them take four points from a possible six against both Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Prior to the Easter weekend Wanderers had gone on an awful run of form which had seen them defeat only Newcastle United in a run of nine games but the upturn in fortune during last weekend's period gives them a good chance going into this weekend's clash with Spurs, who themselves will be hoping for a win to move over the fourty points mark and go level on points with the Trotters.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce will once again name Simon Charlton in his squad despite the veteran defender still struggling with his fitness following a recent injury. Florent Laville and Ricardo Gardner could return before the summer following knee surgery but the clash against Spurs is considered too early for them. Ibrahim Ba, Steve Howey, Ricardo Vaz-Te and Dwight Pezzarossi are pushing for places amongst the substitutes bench.

Spurs caretaker manager David Pleat has doubts over Ledley King (hip), Mauricio Taricco (calf) and Michael Brown (leg) for the trip to Lancashire. Republic of Ireland international Stephen Carr is suspended so countryman Stephen Kelly is set to replace him at right back. There could also be a place in the squad for 17-year old Phillip Ifil following a string of good performances in the reserves but both Dean Richards and Mubela Mabizela are once again expected to be missing despite having returned to training earlier this week.

The Trotters have won the previous two meetings between the two sides with a singular goal deciding the contest on each occasion. In November a goal from Kevin Nolan fifteen minutes from time was enough to give an Okocha inspired Bolton a fine win at White Hart Lane whilst a year ago a goal from Jay-Jay Okocha from the penalty spot eased Bolton's relegation worries and gave them their first win over Spurs in the Premiership. The North London outfit haven't won in an away game at Bolton since their 3-2 success at Burnden Park in March 1996 when goals from David Howells, Ruel Fox and Chris Armstrong cancelled out goals from Alan Stubbs and Scott Sellars.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

CHRIS ARMSTRONG
GUDNI BERGSSON
CHRIS FAIRCLOUGH
GEORGE HUNT
DON MCALLISTER
NEIL MCNAB
IAN MOORES