JLLOYD Samuel will be catching up with his Chelsea mates at the Reebok Stadium.

The Wanderers left back played in the same junior side as England skipper John Terry, and he grew up in the same area of London as Ashley Cole.

Terry was a promising midfielder in those days, Cole banged in the goals as a striker and Samuel was also in the engine room of the side.

"John was good but he's shot up since those days," said Samuel with a smile.

"In fact, he was quite short, a bit stumpy. I'll leave it at that," added the ex-Villa defender, roaring with laughter.

"JT has always been a very good footballer. I thought he would have gone on to be a midfielder.

"You could see he was comfortable on the ball. Even then he still had a presence on the pitch and was dominating."

Other promising youngsters in the well known Senrab club included Bobby Zamora, Paul Konchesky, Ledley King and Kemal Izzet - younger brother of ex-Leicester star, Muzzy.

"It was a bit of a freak side," added Samuel whose 11-year-old brother Jamahl plays centre half for Senrab.

"We didn't lose much."

Samuel joined West Ham after being spotted at Senrab before eventually making his name at Villa Park.

Regular

Uncertain of his place in the first half of last season, he's since cemented a regular place in Bolton's starting line-up.

However, Samuel and his team-mates face a real test of their recent good form against the Premier League title chasers.

Chelsea have won their last five matches at the Reebok Stadium. And while their home form has been patchy, it's been impeccable on the road.

But Bolton, who expect Matty Taylor to have recovered from a deadleg, are looking to end the unbeaten sequence.

"To be honest not much as changed. We've been plugging away, week in week out. The belief has always been there but the goals have started to go in."

The match could be decided by the battle of Bolton's record signings past and present.

Johan Elmander, who has three goals in two games, comes up against the Premier League's leading marksman, Nicolas Anelka.

And Wanderers' assistant manager Chris Evans hopes Anelka receives a good reception from the Reebok faithful.

"I was impressed with Nicolas when I first saw him," said Evans, facing the media on Thursday instead of a snowbound Sheffield-based Megson.

"He oozed class and I felt he was a class person and I respected him immensely.

"He left us as the top goal scorer in the Premiership. And he comes back as the top scorer.

"I hope the supporters will give him a warm welcome. Likewise, we will all shake hands before and after the game.

"During the game both teams will be locking horns and trying to get the points."

The Trotters destroyed Sunderland 4-1 last weekend - their third successive away win - but Evans accepts Chelsea will be the clear favourites to emerge victorious in this weekend.

Chelsea will be without injured midfielder Joe Cole and suspended striker Didier Drogba for the game.

Cole missed last Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal after sustaining an ankle knock against Bordeaux in the Champions League and has not recovered in time.

Ricardo Carvalho (knee), Franco Di Santo (hamstring) and Juliano Belletti (ankle) remain sidelined along with long-term injury victim Michael Essien (knee).

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A O’Brien, Samuel, Nolan, Riga, McCann, Muamba, Gardner, Taylor, Davies, Elmander, Al Habsi, Shittu, Smolarek, Basham, Cohen, Fojut.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Ivanovic, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, Deco, Kalou, Malouda, Anelka, Stoch.

Bolton league form: WWLWW

Chelsea league form: WWWDL

Key opponent: Deco - Portuguese midfielder has the skill to unlock any defence

Prediction: Bolton 0 Chelsea 1 - The Trotters are in great form but Chelsea have so much quality

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 11/1 on Bolton winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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