Bolton injury blows

Friday, 18/02/2011

by Emma Norris, Shoot's Bolton blogger

Just when it seemed the wheels were firmly back on the Bolton bandwagon, we had to go and hit the mother of all potholes.

Three victories in four games had halted the Wanderers’ poor form of the past month, but it came at a cost. Defenders Zat Knight and Sam Ricketts were injured in consecutive games during the past week – Knight suffering ligament damage in the victory over Everton, whilst Ricketts was stretchered off after rupturing his Achilles in the FA Cup replay win over Wigan.

With the squad already looking threadbare before their injuries, it now looks far from rosy. Knight is expected to return at the beginning of April, with January signing David Wheater set to partner Gary Cahill in the heart of defence until then.

It's frightening to consider that we only have three recognised centre-backs – had Coyle not secured the Middlesbrough star’s signature in the transfer window, I dread to think who would have become a make-shift defender.

It was revealed today that Ricketts will definitely miss the remainder of the season – a tough blow for a backline that was beginning to take shape before the injuries of the past week. The former Hull City man has seemed to have flourished in recent weeks, making the right back spot his own after ousting Gretar Steinsson.

However, with the devastating news as to the extent of his injury, and with Steinsson himself struggling with his own injury problems, the Wanderers’ only choice now lies with the inexperienced 20-year-old Marcos Alonso.

A left back by trade, the former Real Madrid youngster’s opportunities have been limited this season, but it seems he will finally get a chance to prove his worth in light of the squad’s recent injuries.

The Wanderers travel to Fulham for the FA Cup fifth round this Sunday following a 1-0 victory over local rivals Wigan on Wednesday evening. Having not reached the fifth round since 2006, the team will certainly be determined to put their bad memories of the cup to bed when they travel to Craven Cottage – a place where we have only been victorious once since our return to the top-flight – a 2-1 win in the Carling Cup in 2007.

Many will believe that with the injury worries surrounding the Wanderers defence and given the team’s poor record in West London, the odds will certainly be stacked against us. However, I have every belief that despite the setbacks of the past week, we will go into Sunday’s game looking to end our Craven Cottage hoo-doo with victory.

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