With Wanderers taking on Queens Park Rangers this weekend in the Sky Bet Championship, bwfc.co.uk note five talking points to take into the clash.
- Squad Update
Speaking to bwfc.co.uk prior to the clash, manager Phil Parkinson also gave the following update regarding the condition of his squad.
Parkinson said: ‘Jack Hobbs has got a slight problem with his back but I don’t expect him to be out for too long.'
‘Everybody is available for selection, obviously Luca (Connell) hasn’t joined up with the squad yet after international duty, so we will assess him tomorrow morning.'
‘Josh Magennis has come back in great shape and off the back of a goal for his country, which is great news.’
- Game to Remember – 01.09.96 QPR 1-2 Bolton Wanderers (John McGinlay, Allan Thompson)
We will take you back to September 1996, where Colin Todd’s Wanderers side took on the R’s at Loftus Road at the beginning of the 1996/97 season.
The Whites took the lead after John McGinlay latched onto a rebound from a Per Frandsen long range effort that rattled the post and stuck Wanderers into the lead.
Rangers replied through Alan McDonald, before an Allan Thompson wonder strike earned the Trotters all three points in this First Division matchup.
To see the highlights of this game, follow the YouTube link below!
- Jason Lowe
We learned this week that Wanderers midfielder Jason Lowe will be out for up to ten weeks with an ankle ligament injury.
This long term knock was sustained early in Wanderers derby day defeat to Wigan Athletic, after the 27-year-old collided with Latics midfielder Michael Jacobs mere minutes into the clash.
Subsequent scans have revealed that Lowe will now have an extended spell on the sidelines.
Who do you think should replace Lowe in the starting line-up for this weekend’s game? Let us know on Twitter @OfficialBWFC with the hashtag #BWFC!
- International exploits
Wanderers’ first team players Josh Magennis and Luca Connell represented their respective national teams during the most recent block of international fixtures.
Magennis entered the fray for Michael O'Neill's side on 76 minutes, replacing Kyle Lafferty against Estonia in a 2-0 victory.
In their second game with three minutes remaining, the Wanderers striker latched onto the end of a low cross from Paddy McNair to earn all three points for his country after replacing Niall McGinn early in the second half.
Luca Connell represented Republic of Ireland Under-19s in their UEFA U19 European Championship qualifiers against Romania, Azerbaijan and Russia.
The youngster played 20 minutes against Romania, replacing William Smallbone in a 5-0 demolition job.
He played the full 90 minutes in their 3-1 victory over Vugar Mammad's men, before playing an hour in Ireland's 2-0 victory over Russia.
These results see the Boys in Green cruise through their group stage with an unblemished record and only conceding once in their three games.
- Opponents recent form
When looking to the Hoops recent run of form, they have won once in their last 14 league games.
In their previous home game, the R’s lost 2-1 to Rotherham United, with Semi Ajayi scoring a 95th minute winner for the away side to snatch a point away from Steve McClaren’s men.
With just five points from last five home league games, Phil Parkinson’s men will be looking to gain points over 17th placed Championship club.