SATURDAY: Wanderers hopes of continuing their recent improved spell were dashed by a disappointing display at Manchester City where the Blues beat them 2-0.

Howey opened the scoring in the 25th minute and Berkovic put the game out of Bolton's reach with a 66th minute strike. Wanderers were poor in front of goal and their shot-shy performance was emphasised when Okocha missed their best chance of the match.

MONDAY

Midfielder Kevin Nolan was ruled out of the clash at home to Leeds after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. Defender Bruno N'Gotty and midfielder Akin are already out of action through suspension after being shown red cards. Bolton's plan to play against Blackburn in their limited edition kit to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary was rejected by the FA because of a colour clash.

TUESDAY

Boss Sam Allardyce underlined the determination within the camp to get the team out of the relegation zone. He said: "We will try to get out of the bottom three by the turn of the year because if you are at the bottom by then it becomes even harder to get out."

WEDNESDAY

Wanderers admitted there was no more money available for the manager to spend in the January transfer window and that he would have to trade if he wanted to bring in new faces other than two or three loan signings.

THURSDAY

Allardyce revealed that Blackburn Rovers' new Turkish signing Haken Sukar could have joined Wanderers a month earlier. The out of contract striker signed for the Ewood Park outfit after previously playing for Italian side Parma. Stig Tofting, despite turning out with a broken bone in his foot, said he would play through the pain barrier and forgo an early operation.

FRIDAY

The Bolton boss challenged his side to score two goals against Rovers because he was not confident his team could keep a clean sheet. Allardyce admitted he was envious of his neighbour's rich pool of talent which included such stars as David Dunn and David Thompson.