Preview: Motherwell v Bolton

Bolton Wanderers travel to Fir Park during the September international break to take on Motherwell in Keith Lasley’s testimonial.

Although an uncompetitive encounter in name, the match provides a valuable experience to the Whites as Bolton continue to bed in recent signings and aid injured players’ recoveries.

Meanwhile north of the border, Motherwell will be keen to provide club-captain and long-serving midfielder Lasley with a fitting celebration of his time with the Steelmen.

Neil Lennon will rotate his squad for Saturday’s trip to Fir Park, allowing Juan Manuel Casado and Francesco Pisano to both make their first appearances in a Wanderers shirts since joining the club last month.

Derik Osede is also set to feature for the first time since pre-season as he continues his comeback from an ankle injury, while a number of the Whites’ Development Squad will be looking to impress for the first team after beating Manchester City to lift the Manchester FA Senior Cup last weekend.

Ripley, McManus, Chalmers, Kennedy, Thomas, Ainsworth (Johnson 67), Lasley, Law, Leitch (Laing 77), Moult (Robinson 63), McDonald. 

At the start of his 14th season with Motherwell, Saturday’s testimonial serves as a celebration to long-serving midfielder Keith Lasley.

Having made his debut for the club during the 2000/01 season, enjoyed stints south of the border with Plymouth Argyle and Blackpool between 2004 and 2006 before returning to Fir Park in August 2006.

In his two separate spells Lasley has registered over 400 competitive appearances for Motherwell and continues to wear the captain’s armband to this day.