Premier League preview: Bolton v Chelsea

In-form Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge returns to the Reebok on Sunday ready to inflict more misery on his former club.

Sturridge’s career was transformed during his five-month loan spell under Owen Coyle last season when he scored eight times in 12 appearances.

Indeed, the Chelsea striker has gone from bit-part player at Stamford Bridge to the verge of a first England cap.

Fabio Capello names his squad for the European Championship qualifier in Montenegro next weekend with Sturridge close to a call-up.

The Londoners will be without the suspended Fernando Torres so Sturridge can expect some decent game time against his former team-mates.

Torres picked up a red card against Swansea City and will miss three matches.

Bolton’s fifth successive defeat at Arsenal last Saturday has seen them drop to the foot of the table, having lost 10 of their last 11 league games dating back to last season.

The fans accept the Trotters have had the toughest possible start to the new campaign with fixtures against Liverpool, both Manchester clubs, Arsenal and now Chelsea.

“It was always going to be a tough start,” Coyle said.

“We’ve played four teams who will finish in the top six.”

“It would be different if we had got three points having played six teams we expect to finish in the lower reaches.”

Coyle is hoping to have key defender Gary Cahill and midfielder Stuart Holden back for Chelsea’s visit.

Cahill could not travel to London for the 3-0 loss to Arsenal because of an illness. Holden has returned to training after a long-term injury but is still currently playing for the reserves until he is completely fit.

“We’ve had big personnel missing with Gary Cahill, who has been ill, and Stuart Holden, who just missed out on being right,” Coyle said.

“They are quality players to bring back into the group and we will be a better team for it.”