Steve Confident

Steve Bywater, who will again be on the bench at the weekend in the continued absence of Raimond van der Gouw, is confident of a first home win of the season against Bolton - and will have no fear if called upon to play.

He says of the clash:

"It is six pointer, a 15 pointer!

"It is not that they are not very good but I think we have got more quality than them.

"We are playing really well and that is the annoying thing; to concede a last minute goal at Middlesbrough was a bit cruel, for instance."

Bolton certainly made plenty of opportunities in their 3-0 home reverse by Leeds on Monday night; statistics show they had 23 shots at goal and 28 crosses into the box - not to mention 60 per cent of possession.

But Steve says:

"I just can't see Bolton scoring but I can see us scoring a few and then kick starting it; the confidence is still with us and hopefully we can prove it on Saturday.

"We will get the fans cheering and go on from there."

Steve detects a good mood in training in the three weeks he has been back from injury, and he says:

"The 5 a sides have been played at a really quick pace - frantic, enjoyable, and competitive, which is good.

"It should be good; a win on Saturday, then we will be alright and able to look forward."

And the possibility of understudying David James if he got injured?

"I have no worries," he says, "because I have spent so long on the sidelines I'd be happy to get any game.

"If I called upon I will do my best - and that will be good enough."

Meanwhile, Eduoard Cisse has sent a message to his team mates as he recovers at home from the chicken pox passed on to him by his son.

"We are bottom and it is very difficult but you have to believe we can change our situation - and we have to, for our pride, our supporters, and our manager," he says.

"We have to react, and I think we are going to."