The Wanderers will welcome back defender Bruno N'Gotty, who missed the last game against Charlton Athletic two weeks ago with a hamstring injury, however Anthony Barness, an ex-Boro loanee, who also missed the game against the Addicks with the same injury is still not fit to play so Nicky Hunt may once again continue at right-back or N'Gotty may switch back to the right hand side.
Glen Little is expected to play some part in the game for the Wanderers following his loan move from Burnley, perhaps as a substitute but fellow new signing Ibrahim Ba will miss out as he is still short of match practise. Ex-Boro keeper Kevin Poole will be amongst the Bolton substitutes.
Boro include the fit again ex-Wanderer Michael Ricketts in their squad, but fellow striker Malcolm Christie is missing with illness. Youngster Andrew Davies could be set to keep his place ahead of Chris Riggott who is still struggling with injury whilst Colin Cooper and Alan Wright are vying to replace the injured Stuart Parnaby at left back. Loan signing from Chelsea Boudwijn Zenden could make a debut and recent signing Giazka Mendieta is also expected to play in place of Jonathan Greening.
Boro had a poor away record last season but they will be keen to avert that for the new campaign, the Wanderers need points on the board fast to avoid another relegation scrap so this should make for an interesting game. Bolton have remained undefeated against Boro at the Reebok Stadium.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
IAN BAILEY
ANTHONY BARNESS
ANDY CAMPBELL
SIMON COLEMAN
NEIL COX
ANDY DIBBLE
ALLAN JOHNSTON
ALAN KERNAGHAN
GARY PARKINSON
JIMMY PHILLIPS
JAMIE POLLOCK
KEVIN POOLE
MICHAEL RICKETTS
STUART RIPLEY
ANDY TODD
TOM WOODWARD
OTHER CONNECTIONS
BRUCE RIOCH
COLIN TODD
WALTER ROWLEY