Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers,
Barclays Premier League,
Wednesday 4 March, 2009,
The Britannia Stadium, 7.45pm Kick-Off.

Bolton fans make their first league trip to Stoke City in over 12 years on Wednesday evening to watch the Trotters make their competitive debut at the Britannia Stadium, the Potters' home since 1997.

The Wanderers are looking to continue their recent successful run, after taking six points from their last two outings and securing a place in the top-half of the table. Indeed another victory in the Potteries would see the Whites move onto 36 points - only one less than they accumulated in the entirety of last season.

Gary Megson faces a decision whether to recall Ricardo Gardner to the starting line-up following his immediate influence from the bench against Newcastle. However, the Wanderers manager admits that he believes the Jamaican offers something a bit different when he is deployed as a substitute.

Megson explained: "Ricardo's a terrific lad! He doesn't play all the time, but he's been having more of an impact from the substitute bench than he had when he started. He probably won't thank me for that, but he played in a position where Matt Taylor plays, who has got seven goals from there as well. Each and every time you ask Gardner to do something; he just does it with the best will in the world and gives it his best shot."

As for Stoke, they find themselves four points clear from bottom of the table West Brom, but desperately need these three points if they are to continue in the Premier League next season. Still, they have one of the best home records this season, without a loss in 77% of all home games this season.

Against Aston Villa last weekend, Stoke held their own right up to the 91st minute equaliser, showing their determination to fight until the end.

Potters boss Tony Pulis played down the significance of the fightback at Villa Park and insists his players must now switch their attentions to the next match.

He said: "People are saying what happened could be a big turning point, but I don't know about that. I hope it is, but Saturday has gone now and we've got another tough game against Bolton coming up. All I do know is I expect it to be a very tough game. Bolton are strong and well organised. It will be a battle."

The referee for the game is Mike Dean, who last took control of a Bolton Wanderers fixture in January when the Whites travelled to Ewood Park. This will be his 32^nd appointment of the season and so far he has brandished 115 yellow cards and 10 reds.

Team News
Gary Megson once again has the luxury of selecting from a fully fit squad, barring long-term absentees Joey O'Brien and Ricardo Gardner.

Tony Pulis has long-throw expert Rory Delap back available after a three-match ban whilst former Wanderer Abdoulaye Faye could return following a back problem. Thomas Sorensen is also expected to take his place in Stoke's goal after recovering from a head injury.

Opposition Manager - Tony Pulis



A veteran of the managerial scene, Tony Pulis has developed a reputation as a pragmatic manager who can grind out results on a tight budget. Behind the 51-year-old's no-nonsense approach lies great enthusiasm and a genuine pride at what he has achieved since he took his debut managerial job at Bournemouth in 1992.

From Bournemouth, Pulis moved on to Gillingham where his achievement in rescuing the club from the foot of the old Division Three and taking them to the Second Division Play-Off final passed almost unnoticed. Disappointing periods at Bristol City and Portsmouth followed before Pulis was given his first chance at Stoke in 2002 - an appointment which eventually petered out after disagreements with the club's then Icelandic board.

His success during a short spell at Plymouth convinced Stoke to reappoint Pulis and now he has earned the chance he deserves at managing at the highest level in English football.

Opposition Key Player - Rory Delap



After almost seven months of the Premier League season, supporters, players and managers alike have all familiarized themselves with the midfielder's long-throw capabilities, yet his ability to hurl the ball from the touchline is still a massive part of Stoke's armoury. Indeed, of their first thirteen goals, seven were credited as Delap assists.

Stoke signed the 32-year-old on loan from Sunderland in October 2006 in a move that became permanent a few months later. However, the Republic of Ireland international broke his leg on his home debut, ironically against his former club Sunderland. But Stoke boss Tony Pulis kept his word and completed the proposed transfer when the window reopened in January 2007.

Delap started his career with hometown club Carlisle before moving to Derby and then the Saints for a fee of £4m in July 2001. He then joined Sunderland on a free transfer in January 2006.

Betting
To get all the best odds for the game, visit our official betting partner Bet2Go.

Wanderers are best priced at 2/1 to take all three points with a draw available at 23/10. For the pessimists out there who think Stoke City will win the match, they can find odds of 8/5.

Mark Davies is priced at 20/1 to net the opening goal of the game, whilst Bolton are 11/1 to come away with a 2-1 win.

Click here for more information and hundreds more of superb odds.

Listen Live
If you can't make it to the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday night, you can listen to live uninterrupted commentary on Wanderers World with the club's new official commentator Phil Gittins and club journalist Rob Urbani. The broadcast starts at 7.15pm.

Click here to subscribe to Wanderers World now and take advantage of a free 30-day trial