Owen Coyle reveals that David Ngog has successfully come through recent training sessions and could feature against Watford
Owen Coyle has revealed that David Ngog is expected to be fit enough to feature in his first competitive action of the season ahead of this weekend’s clash against Watford at the Reebok Stadium.
The French striker played a bit-part role in pre-season due to an on-going back complaint, but after fully recuperating during the international break the 23-year-old is now champing at the bit for his first taste of Championship action.
And speaking in his pre-match press conference, the manager later revealed that Ngog’s recovery significantly bolsters his attacking options.
“David obviously played in the last development squad game at West Ham and came through that successfully, scoring a goal,” Coyle explained. “Since then he’s come through training and has certainly added to our squad.
“David always brings a different facet to our play and we’ve got a very good mix with our strikers at the club. There’s no doubt that he’s desperate to do well.
“He’s looked terrific since returning to training and we played a game amongst ourselves last week and again, he did wonderfully well.
“He’s got a terrific frame, is powerful and has undoubted ability. I know he’s desperate to make a big impact when he’s involved, whether that’s Saturday or not we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The manager also revealed that all five Bolton players returned from international action unscathed, with Chung-Yong Lee clocking up the air miles following an arduous journey back from Uzbekistan.
He added: “The international boys have been away, some further afield then others. Chungy has had to catch something like four different flights to get back from Uzbekistan. That’s just the nature of the international fixtures.
“The good thing for us is that the games were on the Tuesday, as opposed to Wednesday. All of our players are back with is now and are all fit and available.
“Our squad is looking in very good shape, aside from the long-term injuries to David Wheater and Stuart Holden.”