EL-HADJI Diouf could return for Bolton’s trip to Reading after Senegal exited the African Nations Cup.

The club have a private plane on standby to bring the striker back to England from Ghana.

Manager Gary Megson said: “We need him and will do everything we can to get him here as quickly as possible.”

Defender Gary Cahill is poised to make his debut, as is on-loan striker Grzegorz Rasiak.

Reading welcome back strikers Shane Long and Dave Kitson for the game.

Long has served a one-match ban and Kitson has recovered from the illness that forced him to miss the midweek defeat to Chelsea

Defender Ibrahima Sonko may feature if he gets back from international duty in time but Emerse Fae and Andre Bikey are still on African Nations Cup duty.

The Royals will also be without wingers Jimmy Kebe (hamstring) and Glen Little (heel), midfielder Bryn Gunnarsson (groin) and defender Michael Duberry (knee).

Reading (from): Hahnemann, Federici, Murty, Rosenior, de la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Cisse, Bennett, Shorey, Oster, Harper, Matejovsky, Hunt, Convey, Doyle, Kitson, Lita, Long, Sonko.

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

Last season: Reading 1 Bolton 0

Key opponent: Stephen Hunt - Lively customer with an eye for goal

Prediction: Reading 1 Bolton 1 - It might not be a classic but Bolton should earn a point

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

Tweet