Sam Allardyce takes his Blackburn team across Lancashire to face former club Bolton at the Reebok on Sunday.
Big Sam set for Reebok return
Sam Allardyce takes his Blackburn team across Lancashire to face former club Bolton at the Reebok on Sunday.
Allardyce cut his teeth into football management at Wanderers and developed his reputation as one of the most promising managers in the game.
He has also impressed across the county at Rovers, with England manager Fabio Capello singling 'Big Sam' out as his potential successor.
Allardyce himself said he could manage any of Europe's top clubs but was coy upon hearing the Italian's remarks.
In the meantime, he has to focus his Rovers team on finding some consistency that has restricted them to 11th in the Premier League so far.
Owen Coyle is replicating the achievements of Allardyce, albeit with less emphasis on the use of a strong-arm.
Coyle has taken the Trotters to sixth following a flying start to the Premier League campaign and talk in the town is pointing towards a push for European football.
That was a feat that capped Allardyce's reign at the Reebok and the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen and Kevin Davies will hope to put one over their former mentor.
Wanderers' news:
They may have to do that without the services of Stuart Holden, though, who is struggling with a thigh strain.
The American has missed the past two matches, both of which Wanderers have failed to win.
But they remain in fine fettle and boss Coyle could hand Matt Taylor a chance to shine.
Rovers' news:
Rovers will be hoping to welcome back three players from the sidelines for the weekend trip to Bolton.
Vince Grella (groin), Steven N'Zonzi and Michel Olsson (both hamstring) could be fit enough to face their local rivals.
Midfielder Keith Andrews is still struggling with a groin stain, though, and he is unlikely to return before the New Year.
Probable XIs:
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, M Davies, Petrov, K Davies, Elmander.
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Givet, Samba, Nelsen, Jones, Dunn, Emerton, Pedersen, Roberts, Diouf.
