BOLTON'S new loan signing Sebastien Puygrenier faces a Premier League baptism of fire.

He goes straight into the squad to face United after receiving international clearance.

A deal for the 26-year-old Zenit St Petersburg defender was done last week but there was not time to complete the necessary paperwork for him to be included against Arsenal.

Manager Gary Megson said: "We were made aware of the possibility that Zenit might be letting him go so we felt that if we could do a deal then it would be a really good signing for us.

"He's played against a lot of the big clubs, he's got a good bit of pace and he knows the game.

"We are looking forward to seeing whether he can defend in the most difficult league in the world.

"His attitude is fantastic and everybody has been really impressed with him since he has been here."

Wanderers, though, will be without record signing Johan Elmander, Gavin McCann and skipper Kevin Nolan.

And there is a doubt over centre half Gary Cahill who injured his hip at Liverpool on December 28.

Problem

Elmander could miss up to three weeks with recurrence of a hamstring problem, McCann is sidelined for more than month after breaking his toe at Arsenal and Nolan is completing his two-match suspension.

However, full-back Gretar Steinsson is available after a one game ban and will replace rookie defender Chris Basham.

As Megson juggled his squad yesterday, he could help comparing his position with that of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"United tend to pick their team in advance of the game. They don't get to Thursday or Friday and have a roll-call to see who is fit like us," he said.

"Sir Alex Ferguson picks horses for courses."

Megson, who saw United's win over Wigan, added: "We have played United three times and there is a lot made of how we play and how United play.

"But in those three games we've committed 45 fouls and they committed 36. However, for those 45 fouls we've been booked eight times and in their 36, they've got one booking."

Carlos Tevez and Jonny Evans both face 10am fitness tests on Saturday morning to discover whether they will be fit.

The pair both limped their way through Wednesday’s win over Wigan but are now extreme doubts as Manchester United look for the win which will take them top of the Barclays Premier League.

Wayne Rooney (hamstring), Patrice Evra (foot) and Rio Ferdinand (back) are all out, so academy graduate James Chester, who celebrates his 20th birthday on January 23, has been added to Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad.

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Shittu, Cahill, A O’Brien, Samuel, Riga, Muamba, Taylor, Davies, Gardner, Obadeyi, Bogdan, Smolarek, Fojut, Basham, Puygrenier.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Chester, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Nani, Scholes, Gibson, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck.

Bolton league form: LWLLL

United League form: DWWWW

Key opponent: Cristiano Ronaldo - the Reds will be looking for a big performance from the World Player of the Year

Prediction: Bolton 0 United 1 - The Reds are grinding out the wins at present

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 12/1 on Bolton winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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