PAUL Warhurst is ready to return to the Bolton back four tonight as Colin Todd bids to check the slide that threatens to wreck his promotion hopes. The £800,000 centre-back, missing for five games with a hamstring injury, could get the call as Wanderers take on Barnsley at the Reebok. Todd has delayed naming his side as he weighs up the possibilities after seeing his side take just two points from a possible 12 but he confirmed this morning: "There is a possibility that Paul will return."

It's a crunch game for Wanderers, who slipped from second to fifth in the table in the space of eight days during which time they lost at home to bottom club Crewe, went down fighting 3-2 at Huddersfield and had to come from 3-1 down to take a point from an untidy and uninspiring performance at Swindon. But the manager, who was critical of his team's loss of form and lack of organisation on Saturday, says there is no reason why they shouldn't turn the tide tonight. "There's no reason why they shouldn't be ready," he said. "Physically they are well prepared and they have the talent but their minds have got to be right. All they have to do is the jobs they have been given and to keep their discipline and their shape instead of being dragged all over the place as they were at Swindon."

Todd has conceded the title to Sunderland but still has his sights firmly fixed on automatic promotion.

"We had an opportunity to catch them once but only picking up the one point from the last three games makes it virtually impossible now. We still have the challenge of going for that second spot though. We must not lose sight of what we are aiming for just because we've had a bit of a hiccup."

Wanderers also appear to have lost out to Sunderland on the transfer front.

Peter Reid looks set to clinch a £1.8 million deal for Denmark striker Carsten Fredgaard, the 22-year-old former team-mate of Claus Jensen at Lyngby. Todd recently had a similar offer turned down.

Keith Branagan and Gudni Bergsson, both aiming to be in contention for the promotion run-in after injury lay-offs, will get vital match practice in a private friendly tomorrow.

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