Bolton v Blackburn preview

Watch Bolton v Blackburn live on Sky Sports 1

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 11th January 2008

Benni McCarthy Blackburn

McCarthy: Available

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: Bolton 1 Blackburn 2

SKY BET odds: Bolton 6/4, Draw 11/5, Blackburn 6/4

One to Watch: Roque Santa Cruz

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Bolton and Blackburn will be hoping to bounce back from FA Cup disappointments when they lock horns at The Reebok Stadium on Sunday.

The Trotters lost 1-0 to Sheffield United but Gary Megson has made it clear that his priority has always been Premier League survival.

Their hopes of avoiding the drop may suffer a setback if they lose Nicolas Anelka to Chelsea, with the Frenchman hopeful that a move could go through by the end of the week.

However, Bolton are three points clear of the relegation zone and will be focused on strengthening their position when they entertain Mark Hughes' side.

Megson set to make changes

Kevin Davies is set to return to the Bolton side after sitting out the defeat to Sheffield United through suspension.

Megson rested a number of key players last week and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo and Ricardo Gardner are also poised to come back in.

Israeli midfielder Tamir Cohen could feature from the bench after making his debut against The Blades.

El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Meite are absent as they are on African Cup of Nations duty.

McCarthy available

Blackburn have started to totter in recent weeks and were a long way below their best as they were crushed 4-1 at home by Coventry last Saturday.

However, they remain just three points behind sixth-placed Everton and will still feel confident of challenging for a Uefa Cup spot.

They also have Benni McCarthy available after he was left out of the South Africa squad for this month's tournament in Ghana.

Aaron Mokoena has jetted off to link up with South Africa, while Tugay is doubtful with a hamstring strain and Brett Emerton could be sidelined with a similar problem after coming off against Coventry.

Robbie Savage also left Blackburn this week to join struggling Derby.