Last Updated: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:14
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has urged striker Johan Elmander to win a place in the starting eleven following Ivan Klasnic's injury blow.
Bolton's top-scorer Klasnic has been ruled out for between three and four weeks with a calf strain meaning Elmander may be given a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.
Elmander joined Bolton in the summer of 2008 for a fee believed to be around £8.6million but struggled for form under previous boss Gary Megson.
The Swedish striker has found himself on the Bolton bench over the last couple of months but could be handed a run in the starting line-up following the injury to the in-form Croat Klasnic.
"Johan has been a top player and there is no reason why he can't be again," said Coyle. "I have been delighted by how he has gone about his work.
"And he earned the reputation he came with so there is no reason why he can't go on and show all those abilities again. It's up to him when he crosses that white line.
"You can show your stuff day in, day out and I believe more often than not you will replicate it in games.
"But ultimately, you will be judged on what you do on that pitch when you wear the Wanderers shirt in those competitive games."
Meanwhile, contrary to earlier reports, Bolton striker Ricardo Vaz Te has not been loaned out to SPL side Hamilton Academical and will compete for a place in the Bolton side in Klasnic's absence, although some reports suggest Coyle was unhappy with Vaz Te's decision to snub a loan move placing his future at the Reebok in doubt.