Coyle: Troubles not yet over

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Bolton v Swansea City

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is hoping his key players overcome illness to face Premier League rivals Swansea in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash at the Reebok Stadium.

A bug has struck down several of the Trotters’ leading players in the build-up to this weekend’s knockout meeting in Horwich.

Coyle, though, remains optimistic over their availability as Jussi Jaaskelainen (thigh) and Tyrone Mears (broken leg) also come back in to contention.

The Scot, however, will have to do without the services of new recruit Tim Ream after the defender had to return to the United States to complete the rest of his paperwork.

Meanwhile, Swans manager Brendan Rodgers welcomes back defender Alan Tate following a lengthy spell on the sidelines nursing a broken leg.

On-loan midfielder Josh McEachran also comes into the reckoning after his recent arrival from Chelsea, but the same can’t be said of fellow loanee Steven Caulker.

At the request of his parent club Tottenham, the centre-back is unavailable for selection to avoid being cup-tied should he make an earlier return to Spurs.

Closer to the bottom half of the league standings than the top, both Wanderers and the Swans have their hands full in their efforts to remain in the top flight.

That being said, Rodgers’ men already have a victory of their weekend opponents - a 3-1 league win in October - and will fancy their chances of replicating that feat come Saturday.

The Trotters, though, come off an impressive 3-1 home win against Liverpool last time out to help lift them from the relegation zone.