Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf could return to the starting line-up for Saturday’s visit of Portsmouth as Gary Megson’s side look to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

The Senegal international started on the bench in Bolton’s win at Reading last weekend after returning from the African Nations Cup but could replace Heidar Helguson as Kevin Davies’ striking partner.

Abdoulaye Meite is unavailable following international duty with the Ivory Coast and Joey O’Brien is again doubtful with a hamstring strain but Gavin McCann may return to the squad following a back injury.

Portsmouth have Papa Bouba Diop, Kanu and John Utaka all back from the African Nations Cup for the game but centre-back Sylvain Distin again looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Sulley Muntari must stay with Ghana for the third-place play-off after they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Cameroon, but Utaka and Diop look set to go straight into the Pompey starting line-up. Kanu’s recovery from a knee injury which curtailed his tournament is a boost and he could be on the substitutes’ bench.

Manager Harry Redknapp will keep the Jermain Defoe-Milan Baros partnership up front if Baros has returned unscathed from 90 minutes for the Czech Republic against Poland in midweek. David Nugent is still out after a hernia operation.

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

Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Pamarot, Utaka, Diarra, Diop, Kranjcar, Davis, Hughes, Baros, Defoe, Kanu, Pedro Mendes, Mvuemba, Lauren, Aubey, Ashdown.

Last season: Bolton 3 Portsmouth 2

Key opponent: Jermain Defoe - Striker will be out to build on his goal-scoring debut

Prediction: Bolton 1 Portsmouth 1 - Pompey will be strong with the African stars back, but home advantage should see Bolton pick up a point

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 11/2 on a 1-1 draw with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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