Bolton´s Cahill free to play

Bolton have been handed a boost after the Football Association (FA) rescinded Gary Cahill’s red card in their loss to Tottenham.

The England centre-back was dismissed by referee Stuart Atwell for a professional foul on midfielder Scott Parker in the 18th minute in Tottenham’s 3-0 win at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle was unhappy with the red card, with Cahill adjudged to have denied a goal-scoring opportunity even though Parker had only just crossed the halfway line.

Cahill’s successful appeal means his one-match suspension has been overturned and he will now be available to take on Aston Villa in Bolton’s next English Premier League match on Saturday.

A FA statement on Tuesday read: “Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld.”

“As a result, the one-match suspension handed to him has been withdrawn.”

“Cahill had originally received a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday 3 December 2011.”

It will be welcome news for Coyle, whose side are 19th on the league table, and along with Wigan, are the only team in the Premier League yet to reach double figures in terms of points this season.