Bolton stick with Ricketts

Michael Ricketts will keep his place in the Bolton squad for tomorrow’s visit to Newcastle despite handing in a transfer request.

But boss Sam Allardyce is definitely without Jay-Jay Okocha, whose hamstring injury will rule him out for at least another week.

Mike Whitlow is also expected to miss out with a groin problem and there are doubts over Jeff Smith and Paul Warhurst.

Bolton can open up a five-point gap over the Premiership’s bottom three with victory at St James’ Park.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Jaaskelainen, Barness, Campo, Charlton, Whitlow, Mendy, N’Gotty, Bergsson, Warhurst, Nolan, Gardner, Frandsen, Tofting, Djorkaeff, Ricketts, Pedersen, Facey, Poole.