WANDERERS can move on to bigger and better things without Nicolas Anelka.

That’s the view of assistant manager Chris Evans, who has urged supporters to give the Premier League’s top goalscorer a good reception as he returns to the Reebok Stadium for the first time since his £15million switch to Chelsea just under a year ago.

The Frenchman leads the scoring charts with 12 – and even though his departure initially set Wanderers back in their survival bid last season, the club insist they harbour no hard feelings.

“He left as the top goalscorer in the Premiership and he arrives as the top goalscorer in the Premiership,” said the Welshman. “I’d like to think our supporters will give him a warm welcome.

“During his time here, I was particularly impressed by Nicolas, when you saw him on the training ground, he oozes class.

“I’m sure the players will shake hands before and after the game with him, even if the teams will be locking horns during the game to try and get the points.

“He made his own decisions, and Nicolas felt that it was best for his own career and family to leave the club.

“He has moved on and so have we. We’re trying to build a team without Nicolas and we’re confident we can continue the results our hard work has merited.”

Wanderers struggled for goals in the aftermath of Anelka’s departure - but with 10 strikes in their last five games, that obstacle would appear to be conquered for now.

And while Evans admits the Whites would still love to be able to call on the 29-year-old – he says the funds raised by his transfer have helped Gary Megson to build a stronger overall framework at the Reebok.

“It would be difficult to turn round and say we are a better team without the top goalscorer in the Premiership,” he said.

“But Nicolas made a decision that his future lay away from the Reebok. There was disappointment here but sometimes in football you have to move on, and we have.

“Bolton Wanderers Football Club is bigger than any player and the welfare of this club must prevail.

“Players like El-Hadji Diouf and Nicolas have gone - it’s a new era now. The players and manager deserve due credit for achieving what they did last season and what they have continued to do this season.”

Anelka will be helping the Blues defend the country’s best away record tomorrow afternoon. The Blues have scored 19 goals away from Stamford Bridge, conceding only one.

Despite failing to win in their last two league outings, against Newcastle and Arsenal, Phil Scolari’s side are still second in the table, presenting a formidable prospect.

“There is no good time to face Chelsea, they go into nearly every game as favourites,” Evans said.

“It can’t be a bad feeling to have lost your last two games but still be second in the table.

“We’ll give them due respect but we’ll concentrate on what we are doing.”