Bolton vs Wigan preview - Robinson back for Bolton

Posted Wednesday, January 05, 2011 by PA

Bolton have Paul Robinson back for Wednesday's Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan at the Reebok Stadium but are still missing a number of players.

Robinson is available again after serving a one-match suspension but it is thought that the game will be too soon for injured pair Stuart Holden and Gretar Steinsson.

Lee Chung-yong remains on international duty with South Korea while Tamir Cohen is not expected to return for this fixture following the death of his father.

Joey O'Brien, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel are all absent too.

Bolton made an ultimately disappointing start to 2011 with their 2-1 defeat at Liverpool on New Year's Day, although boss Owen Coyle felt his players gave a good account of themselves and that Joe Cole's last-gasp winner should have been ruled out for offside - the latest in a long line of decisions the Scot has seen as being unjust towards his team.

"If you wanted to sit down with me one afternoon I could show you a DVD of probably 16 major decisions that have gone against us this season - that led to goals, or not getting penalties or what have you," Coyle said.

"We should have had a penalty in the game at Anfield as well - there was a clear handball, and we never got it.

"If, as they say, it evens itself out, then we are due some huge decisions in the second half of the season, that's for sure.

"Don't get me wrong, as managers we are all biased and want all the decisions for our own football club.

"I totally accept that, but I think when things are as clear-cut as that, then they have got to be given."

Wigan will again be without the suspended Charles N'Zogbia.

Antolin Alcaraz looks likely to retain his place at the back after showing no ill-effects from a previous thigh injury when playing 90 minutes in the defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.

New signing Adrian Lopez, the former Spain Under-21 international and Deportivo La Coruna defender, is expected to be on the bench.

Wigan have chalked up just one win in seven league games and are involved in the relegation mix.

However boss Roberto Martinez does not believe that statistic paints a true picture of how his side are shaping up.

The defeat by Alan Pardew's side came after a thrilling draw against Arsenal and a win at Wolves.

Martinez said: "It is the nature of the competition. After the first 10 games we all thought Chelsea were going to run away with it (the title). Now there are five contenders.

"To avoid relegation you have six, seven teams involved. It will come down to very small details. After the performance against Wolves and Arsenal we were starting to reach a very good level.

"While Sunday was a disappointment, the result should not cloud the good work we have been doing. The squad will get a lot stronger when the injured players and suspended players return.

"I have been very pleased with the players who have come in. We are a lot stronger now than we were two months ago."