Moreno set for semi-final start

Last updated : 14 April 2011 By BBC Sport

Bolton boss Owen Coyle may replace ineligible Daniel Sturridge with young striker Rodrigo Moreno for the FA Cup semi-final against Stoke on Sunday.Benfica loanee Rodrigo, 20, could come in for Sturridge - who is on loan from Chelsea - after shining from the bench.

"There's no doubt Rodrigo is a big talent and will have a big role to play before the end of season," said Coyle.

Veteran Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham will be missing after his recent cruciate knee ligament injury.

Alan Hansen's view on the FA Cup semi-finals

BIG-MATCH FACTS

The tie in context

• Bolton have their eyes set on a first appearance in the FA Cup final since 1958, when they beat Manchester United 2-0 at Wembley, with two Nat Lofthouse goals.

• Lofthouse, who played more than 500 times for Bolton and scored 285 goals, sadly died at the age of 85 in January. How fitting it is that the Trotters are returning to Wembley in the year of his passing.

• Bolton played in the first ever FA Cup final at Wembley, the famous 'White Horse' final in 1923. They also participated in one of the last two semi-finals at the old Wembley in 2000.

• Stoke are hoping it's fourth time lucky. They have been beaten three times in the semi-finals, twice since the war when Arsenal denied them a place at Wembley in 1971 and 1972.

• The Potters last won at Wembley in April 2000, defeating Bristol City 2-1 in the Auto Windscreens Shield Final. It was a third successive victory in a Wembley final.

• Stoke's only major honour was winning the 1972 League Cup.

• Manchester City or Manchester United will be playing the winners of this tie in the final at Wembley on 14 May.

Head-to-head

• These clubs have been competing in the Premier League for the last three seasons. Bolton have won three, Stoke two, with one drawn.

• This season's two top-flight clashes were won by the club playing at home.

Bolton Wands 2-1 Stoke City (Prem Lge, 16 Oct)

Stoke City 2-0 Bolton Wands (Prem Lge, 15 Jan)

• These clubs have not met outside the league since their most recent of four ties against each other in the FA Cup. The third round clash in January 1974 resulted in a 3-2 home win for Bolton.

FA Cup records and best performances

• The only time Stoke have eliminated the Trotters in this competition was in 1928.

The clubs

BOLTON WANDERERS

Current form

• Won three of five, with three goals scored in all three victories.

• Lost their last two on the road.

FA Cup form

• The four-times winners are making their 14th appearance in the semi-finals, and first since 2000, when Aston Villa defeated them on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes at Wembley.

• Victory would give them a place in the final for the eighth time.

• Dismissed fellow Premier League opposition in each of the last three rounds; Wigan, Fulham and Birmingham.

• Had not conceded a goal in this cup run, until defeating Birmingham 3-2 in the quarter-finals.

• Only four players have scored for Bolton in the competition this season; Kevin Davies, Johan Elmander and Ivan Klasnic have got two each.

STOKE CITY

Current form

• Won two of the last seven (all comps)

• Lost their last five away (all Premier League games), scoring in just one of them (3-2 against Tottenham last Saturday).

• Their last victory on the road was 1-0 against Wolves in the fourth round of the FA Cup on 30 January.

FA Cup form

• Been losing semi-finalists three times; in 1899, 1971 and 1972.

• Beat West Ham 2-1 in the quarter-finals; the only time they have had to face fellow Premier League opposition in this cup run.

• Last season, the Potters eliminated Arsenal and Manchester City on their way to the last four, when eventual winners Chelsea knocked them out.

• Their nine goals in this cup run have been shared between six players; Jonathan Walters has scored three of them, and Robert Huth two.

Match officials

Referee: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire)

Assistant referees: Darren Cann and Jake Collin

Fourth official: Stuart Attwell

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport