Diouf in line to return

Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf could return to the starting line-up against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day.

He looks set to replace Hidetoshi Nakata after the Japan star failed to make an impact in the Carling Cup defeat by Wigan in midweek.

There might also be in recall for French defender Bruno N’Gotty. He could come in for Radhi Jaidi, who was also out of sorts in the cup game.

Provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Ben Haim, Jaidi, N’Gotty, Gardner, Giannakopoulos, Speed, Faye, Nolan, Nakata, Davies, Walker, Hunt, Okocha, Vaz Te, Diouf, Fadiga, Borgetti.