MATTY Taylor has described tonight's relegation `six-pointer' against Fulham as Bolton's `biggest match of the season.'

The former Portsmouth defender and Iceland international Gretar Steinsson will make their home debuts against Roy Hodgson's lowly side.

And Taylor believes Wanderers have too much quality to get sucked deeper into Premier League trouble.

"We need to get that magical 40 points as soon as possible," said the ex-England under-21 international. "We've got 15 cup finals left and I want to play in as many as possible.

"It's a big week. But I will be very disappointed if we don't come out with some good results. When I was at Portsmouth we were in a worse position than we are now with Bolton.

"And from what I've seen in 10 days here there is a fantastic togetherness among the lads. There have been plenty of smiles in training.

"That is vitally important. When you go out on the pitch you know you are going to war with your mate. He is going to be there to back you up.

"But I don't see this club in any way, shape or form, in trouble with relegation.

"I'm certain it won't be a massive issue. We already have a six point advantage over the Cottagers. But they've won just one of their last six league and cup outings."

But Gary Megson's side looked more solid with Taylor and Steinsson in the side against Newcastle recently.

And Taylor is certainly relishing his new challenge, sayting: "I didn't move for any other reason than I wanted to play regular first team football.

"I'm not stupid enough to think I'm guaranteed to do that at Bolton. Unless you are Cristiano Ronaldo, you aren't guaranteed a place in any team in this country. But if I get a chance, my statistics and history point to the fact I can do pretty well at this level.

"It's up to me to make sure I keep the shirt. If I don't I only have myself to blame."

Taylor insists it doesn't matter whether he plays left back or left midfield.

"Wherever the manager chooses to put me I will play - even in goal. Maybe in the past it's been my downfall that I can play in a couple of positions. But I don't have a preference.

"I just want to be on the pitch. I've had a good in-depth chat with Gary Megson and he sees it pretty much as I do. It wasn't a difficult decision to leave because I just felt my future lay away from Fratton Park.

"Maybe I had lost that bit of hunger because I wasn't playing and I need to get that back.''

Wanderers will again be without African Cup of Nations duo, El Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite.

And Megson is likely to choose the same squad that spoiled Kevin Keegan's return to Tyneside.

Meanwhile, new signings Leon Andreasen and Brede Hangeland will go straight into the Fulham squad.

Hangeland could be included in Roy Hodgson’s starting line-up in place of the suspended Dejan Stefanovic.

Midfielder Jimmy Bullard could be handed his first Premier League start since recovering from his knee operation.

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, J O’Brien, A O’Brien, Gardner, Michalik, Steinsson, Taylor, Campo, Cohen, Guthrie, Nolan, Davies, Giannakopoulos, McCann, Samuel, Wilhelmsson, Braaten, Alonso, Al Habsi.

Fulham (from): Niemi, Volz, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Andreasen, Bocanegra, Seol, Healy, Smertin, Davis, Bullard, Murphy, Davies, Dempsey, Warner, Baird, Brown, Milsom, Leijer.

Last season: Bolton 2 Fulham 1

Key opponent: Jimmy Bullard - If he starts he's bound to bring energy and drive to the Fulham side

Prediction: Bolton 1 Fulham 0 - The Trotters should edge a tense game at home

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You can get 6/1 on Bolton winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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