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Sunday 6 November 2011

MATCH PREVIEW : Bolton v Stoke England Premier League -6 November-2011,16:00 CET

MATCH PREVIEW : Bolton and Stoke will be eager to return to winning ways in the Premier League following successive defeats in a fortnight for both sides.A 3-1 defeat to league newcomers Swansea last Saturday kept the Trotters firmly in trouble having claimed just three points in nine games.Wanderers have started the season woefully, losing eight of their opening fixtures and winning none of their home games so far.Stoke have struggled to keep a clean sheet since early October as they prepare to travel to the Reebok for their third game in a week on the back of a 3-1 thumping against Newcastle on Monday. Watch Bolton v Stoke Live Stream Online PC TV Video Free, Bolton v Stoke Live Online Instant Streaming Internet TV Free, Bolton v Stoke Live Soccer TV Channels Online, Bolton v Stoke live streaming broadcast Online Today, Bolton v Stoke Live Stream Online Video Coverage Now, England Premier League live stream online HD TV Online, Bolton v Stoke Live Stream Online HDTV Coverage Here.TEAM NEWS :Match Preview Bolton's world has crashed since the fateful day at Wembley when Stoke wrecked their FA Cup final and Euro dreams.

Some would say that Owen Coyle's side has never really returned from the national stadium after their 5-0 thrashing in the semi-final - with just three wins since.

The sunshine that seemed to follow Coyle's men has turned to one large black cloud of despondency hanging over the Reebok.

But Coyle does not want revenge to be in mind as Wanderers try to get out of the drop zone against Tony Pulis' team, who have flown high since and are landing after more Europa League success.Back-to-back wins over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League could prove a boost to the Potters' spirits as they look to climb into the top half of the Premier League.

To add to Owen Coyle's concerns, Ricardo Gardner will serve a one-match ban after being sent off in last weekend's loss at the Liberty Stadium with Paul Robinson set to come in.

Coyle, already without long-term injured Tyrone Mears, Lee Chung-yong, Stuart Holden, Sean Davis and Sam Ricketts, has no fresh concerns going into the game.

Tony Pulis rested Ryan Shawcross and Marc Wilson for Stoke's midweek trip to Israel after both suffered muscle strains on Monday night, with Matthew Etherington, Jermaine Pennant and Rory Delap on the bench.

Danny Higginbotham completed 90 minutes on his return from seven months out with a cruciate ligament injury, while Cameron Jerome and Jonathan Woodgate return to the squad following respective suspension and ineligibility.Coyle won't even look back - in anger or otherwise - at that dreaded day.

"It was a poor day. It happened, but it was last season," he said. "The season before, we beat Stoke to stay up. Whatever it is, is finished.

"We should not need extra motivation for a game when we are where we are in the league. These players do not need that to be ready.

"We are in a position we don't like being in. You can go back through history for things that will motivate you, but ours is to move outside the bottom three."

Coyle's side is suffering, as they are missing two top players in Stuart Holden and Chung-Yong Lee among others.

But they may also have spoiled their fans with last season's heorics until Wembley.

He said: "In football, it is all about expectations. When you raise it you have to make sure you keep improving. We have not done to this point, but that can change quickly."

Rookie right-back Joe Riley is ready to make a shock Premier Legaue debut as Coyle looks for a winning formula.

The 20-year-old, who has been training with the first team and played in the Carling Cup win over Macclesfield in August, could be thrown in against Stoke as Coyle tries to sort out a defence that has been shaky this season.

Wanderers are without three right-back options with Dedryck Boyata joining Tyrone Mears and Sam Ricketts all on the sick list, while Gretar Steinsson has also been struggling.

Now, Riley is set to get the nod, with Coyle desperate to end the worst home record of any club in England at the weekend.

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Lucky Stoke midfielder Salif Diao has revealed how close he was to losing his sight after banging his head in their recent Carling Cup win over Spurs.

The Senegal star bravely dived in to head the ball at goal and took a sickening blow to his face.

Although at the time he shook it off and played on, the ex-Liverpool man now admits the September incident could have blinded him.

"I was feeling OK, but there was a fracture and at the end of the game, I sneezed," he said. "Apparently, I shouldn't have sneezed because the air goes up through your nose.

"I went for a scan and it showed a triple fracture. They said I could have lost my sight if there had been any contact on the injury."

Diao had surgery and has been playing in a facemask in recent weeks to try to protect the injury.

Meanwhile, striker Jon Walters is gunning to face Bolton, despite having already clocked up EIGHTEEN appearances this season.

The super-fit striker has failed to play a part in just two games in Stoke's heavy workload of domestic and Europa League matches, but is not complaining.

"Ask any player whether they would rather be playing or training and they will tell you they want to be playing games," he said.

"The games are coming thick and fast and I have to be ready for that.

"I was playing in the Championship a few years ago and it is just the same there, because you play every Saturday and Tuesday.

"Ask any player whether they would like to be playing on a Euro night and then play in the Premier League and they would snap your hand off. I will relish it and enjoy it."

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