Premier League preview: Sunderland v Bolton

Bolton travel to Sunderland on Saturday with their eyes firmly fixed on a top four spot in the Premier League.

A win for Owen Coyle’s men would move them within two points of fourth place Chelsea, who face a tough match against Manchester United on Monday.

Bolton have lost just three times in the league this season, to Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, and have been the surprise packet of a highly competitive domestic campaign.

And full-back Paul Robinson firmly believes they are capable of securing a place in Europe next season.

“We want to push for Europe. That is what we want to achieve,” Robinson told the club`s official website.

“I am aiming to finish the season on a high and give our fans something to celebrate.”

“It is nice not to be looking over your shoulder at the bottom end but pushing the big boys. It is fantastic at the moment.”

Coyle has few worries at the selection table with nearly a full squad to choose from, with top scorer Johan Elmander expected to partner captain Kevin Davies up front.

Sunderland’s form has been patchy of late, with only a 3-2 loss to Wolves, a scoreless draw with Fulham and a scratchy 1-0 win against West Ham to show from three winnable games.

They also have plenty of injury concerns, with dwindling reserves in defence.

A hamstring injury to Anton Ferdinand sees him join Michael Turner and Titus Bramble on the sidelines, leaving injury-prone John Mensah as the only recognised centre-back Steve Bruce can call upon.

Bruce admits the Ghanaian is a key player for the Black Cats, particularly if they are to continue the form which has seen them rise to seventh on the Premier League table.

“Mensah is immense for us. We’ve just got to keep him on the pitch,” Bruce said.

“For him to be our only standing centre-back at the moment worries me a bit.”

“He takes his fair share of whacks, but it’s testament to him that he shrugs them off and carries on. He continually puts himself on the line for this club.”