Bolton v Newcastle

Last updated : 19 November 2010 By BBC Sport

Bolton manager Owen Coyle could change a winning side, with defender Gretar Steinsson available after suspension and poised for his 100th appearance.Fabrice Muamba should be fit despite pulling out of the England U21s squad earlier this week with a thigh problem.

Newcastle's Shola Ameobi has recovered from a hamstring problem while Andy Carroll is hoping his groin suffers no reaction from his midweek England duty.

Cheik Tiote serves a one-match ban while Joey Barton is still suspended.

Bolton

Doubtful: Muamba (thigh)

Injured: Davis (knee), Gardner (thigh), J O'Brien (knee), Samuel (calf),

Newcastle

Suspended: Barton (two matches), Tiote (one match)

Doubtful: Ameobi (hamstring)

Injured: Ben Arfa (broken leg), Best (ankle), Gosling (knee), Harper (shoulder), R Taylor (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

The seeds of change are bearing autumn fruit for both of these clubs, who have climbed to the upper reaches of the table.

We're not in a false position. We're fifth in the league on merit

Bolton manager Owen Coyle

It has been a quiet revolution, with neither side spending more than £5m on transfer fees over the summer.

Instead, Bolton have improved their performance by evolving their playing style under Owen Coyle, while Newcastle are reaping the benefits of a lower-key approach that no longer burdens them with unrealistic expectation.

Newcastle's impressive start to the season has been founded on the goalscoring of former Bolton captain Kevin Nolan and England's newest No.9, Andy Carroll, who was playing for the reserves at the home of West Allotment Celtic two years ago.

It was Carroll who effectively elbowed Bolton's Kevin Davies out of the recent England squad; Davies has publicly accepted the reasoning behind his omission, but Newcastle will be braced for a robust response from the man who has committed more fouls than any other player in the Premier League.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Bolton have won six of their last seven home matches against Newcastle.

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Bolton

• Victory would be Bolton's 1,000th in the top flight.

• They have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league since the opening day of the season against Fulham.

• This is already Johan Elmander's most prolific season for Bolton, but all six of his goals have come away from home. His last goal at the Reebok Stadium came against Wigan in March.

• Matt Taylor could make his 100th league appearance for Bolton, while Zat Knight is poised for his 300th club career appearance.

Newcastle

• Newcastle have won more points away from home (10) than at St James' Park (8) this season.

• The Magpies have won three of their last four Premier League away matches, having only managed three victories in their previous 32 top-flight trips.

• They have scored eight headed goals, more than any other team in the Premier League according to Opta.

• Kevin Nolan spent 12 seasons at Bolton, scoring 50 goals in 345 matches.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Bolton

Elmander: 6 goals (6 league); Klasnic: 3 goals (2 league)

Newcastle

Carroll & Nolan: 7 goals (7 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Howard Webb

Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & Andy Garratt

Fourth official: Steve Rushton

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Bolton (W3-2 v Wolves, a): Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, Holden, Taylor (Petrov 82), K Davies, Elmander (Klasnic 74). Subs not used: Bogdan, M Davies, Moreno, Blake, Alonso.

Newcastle (D0-0 v Fulham, h): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 76), Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Lovenkrands (Ranger 76). Subs not used: Soderberg, Campbell, Smith, Xisco, S Taylor.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport