Millwall (A) Preview

Bolton will have a chance to secure their second away win of the season at Millwall on Saturday, as Wanderers return to a familiar hunting ground.

The last time Owen Coyle’s men visited The New Den they were celebrating reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals after goals from Arsenal loanee Ryo Miyaichi and current number nine David Ngog secured a 2-0 win last February.

Kevin Davies did not feature that day, but the former Millwall loanee is expected to lead the line with confidence this Saturday after his two-goal salvo against Leeds United on Tuesday. 

The skipper scored three goals during his brief loan spell with the Lions in 2002 and has reiterated how tough the trip to London will be, as he and the whole squad expects a feisty reception from the home crowd. 

Millwall enter their third consecutive season in the Championship aiming to build on their success under Welsh manager Kenny Jackett.

The 2012/13 campaign marks Jackett’s fifth full season in charge in which the club have enjoyed some of their best years in recent history, including promotion from League One in 2010. 

But the club suffered contrasting fortunes last season, struggling for most of the year, though a seven game unbeaten run guided them to safety earning Jackett the Manager of the Month award for April.

To avoid a repeat performance the club has secured the services of defensive trio Karleigh Osborne, Danny Shittu, Lennard Sowah and West Bromwich Albion striker Chris Wood on loan until the end of November.

A win could move Bolton into the top half of the table, depending on other Championship results, heading into the international break. 

Whites boss Coyle will have to wait on the fitness of striker David Ngog, who missed Tuesday’s clash with Leeds United with a tight hamstring.

Martin Petrov is also a doubt, after jarring his back in training, whilst Marcos Alonso will definitely miss the game after failing to recover from a knock sustained at Sheffield Wednesday.

Stuart Holden, David Wheater and Josh Vela are all progressing from long-term injuries but remain unavailable.

As for Millwall, Wood is expected to start up top with top-scorer Darius Henderson who has notched up four goals this season, forcing January signing Andy Keogh to the bench. 

New Zealand international Wood moved to The New Den in September and stamped his mark immediately scoring a week later in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton. 

Wood has plenty of Championship experience following other loan spells with Barnsley, Birmingham and Bristol City, and he was part of the Kiwis’ 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa.

The 20-year-old is in fine form starting the last three games in attack with both Andy Keogh and Darius Henderson, and is someone the Wanderers defence has to be wary off. 

Surrey-based Gavin Ward will take charge Saturday’s encounter and he has already overseen nine matches this season, the last being Tuesday night’s League One clash between Wycombe and Plymouth. 

Ward is currently averaging three yellow cards a game and has shown two red cards to Torquay’s Aaron Downes and Port Vale’s Chuks Aneke last month. 

Wanderers supporters have until 2pm on Friday to purchase tickets directly from Bolton Central. After that time, any remaining tickets will be available for supporters to buy from the away turnstiles on the day of the game at The New Den.

Wanderers Player will be broadcasting live pre-match build-up and full commentary from the game. For more information on the online service click here.