Were due result against Rovers - Muamba

Coyle's side go into the derby having failed to beat their local rivals at home in the top flight for 12 years and there is added spice in that former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce - who led the club into Europe for the first time - is returning to the Reebok Stadium.

Midfielder Muamba expects a hard shift against a side fashioned by Allardyce, who go into the match on the back of a 3-0 victory against Wolves last weekend.

Muamba is aiming to retain his ever-present record in the league this season and he said: "The manager has confidence in me. I am enjoying my role and long may that continue.

"It is a massive game and about time we got a result against them. It will be very physical. There will be a lot of long balls, put it that way.

"We will just have to play the way we have done this season - by getting the ball down and passing it. We must not give away silly free-kicks because they are good at set-pieces. They won last week but we will be confident as we are at home.

Source: PA

Source: PA