BOLTON could have captain Kevin Nolan back for the Premiership trip to Middlesbrough.

The 24-year-old midfielder missed last week's goalless draw at home to Manchester City with a rib injury but manager Sam Allardyce is hopeful the player will be fit enough to feature at the Riverside.

Fellow midfielder Abdoulaye Faye is available again after serving a suspension against Stuart Pearce's side, while striker Kevin Davies has recovered from an Achilles injury sustained against City.

With the Premiership's top four playing each other this weekend Allardyce views the trip as a chance to reclaim some ground.

"I think it is a crucial time for us to get a result at Middlesbrough," he said.

"We can make a statement by doing that while the big four are playing each other as some of them are going to drop points.

"We have a little cushion (three points) between us and Portsmouth which we want to maintain.

"If we can be in this position, points ahead of the people below us but still in touch with those top four, later in the season it may give us some of the desire and drive to try to go all the way.

"We have lost just one in seven now and that is a very good record. We are having a great season up to now, are in a fantastic position and we want not to waste this effort and commitment by allowing ourselves to dip off.

"But Middlesbrough are in good form and we have to make sure we are at our best to get something out of the game."

Gareth Southgate will give inspirational skipper George Boateng every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the game.

The Dutch midfielder missed Tuesdayés FA Cup replay victory over Hull with a knee injury he picked up at Charlton last Saturday and will undergo a late fitness test.

Defenders Andrew Taylor and Emanuel Pogatetz both missed the dramatic 4-3 win over Hull due to minor knocks but will make Riverside returns.

Taylor will replace Seb Hines at left-back while Abel Xavier is likely to move across to right-back at the expense of Andrew Davies to accommodate Pogatetz.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Boateng, Cattermole, Arca, Morrison, Downing, Yakubu, Viduka, Jones, Davies, Hines, Euell, Johnson, Christie.

Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Campo, Giannakopoulos, Speed, Nolan, Diouf, Anelka, Davies, Walker, Gardner, Vaz Te, Tal, Teymourian, Fortune, Fojut, Smith.

Last season: Boro 4 Bolton 3

Key opponent: Yakubu - One of the strongest forwards in the Premiership with finishing skills to match

Prediction: Boro 1 Bolton 2 - If Bolton's strikers fire Allardyce will be hopeful of victory

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For all the latest odds with Betfred, click here.

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