The Terriers kick off their FA Cup campaign with a trip to the Macron Stadium to take on Championship side Bolton Wanderers.
Town’s last meeting against the Trotters took place on the 2nd January 2016 in a Championship clash. Goals from Joe Lolley and Mustapha Carayol were enough to get David Wagner’s men all three points.
THE OPPONENT
Since relegation from the top flight in 2012, Bolton have battled back from near extinction to be within reach of the Premier League once again. The Trotters first season back in England’s second division for 48 years ended with the club missing out on a play-off place to Leicester City via goal difference.
In December 2015, Bolton were issued a winding up petition from HM Revenue and Customs following a reported £173 million worth of debt. The four-time FA Cup winners narrowly avoided extinction thanks to a takeover from a consortium led by former player Dean Holdsworth. Despite this, the club were relegated to League One following a defeat to Derby County. It would be the first time the Trotters would be in England’s third tier since 1993.
The 2016/17 season gave Bolton fans something to smile about. After bringing in former Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson, the Wanderers shot back up to the Championship at the first attempt. The season so far for the Trotters has been a tale of two halves. Following two points from their opening 11 league games, Bolton have lost just four of their last 15 league games and have dragged themselves out of the relegation places up to 20th in the table.
The FA Cup tie against Town this Saturday comes off the back of two impressive wins against high flying Sheffield United and recently relegated Hull City.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Gary Madine has scored in five of Bolton’s six Championship wins, with his latest being a 25-yard free kick to seal all three points against Hull City on New Year’s Day. The former Sheffield Wednesday man joined the Wanderers in June 2015 and reached double figures as the club finished second in league one.
David Wheater played 25 times for the Trotters in their final Premier League season. The former Middlesbrough centre half moved to Bolton in January 2011 having made over 140 appearances for the Teesiders. Still only 30 years of age, Wheater has represented England at all youth levels. The towering defender picked up a trifecta of awards last season; being named Bolton’s Player of the Season, the League One Team of the Season and the PFA League One Player of the Season.
Josh Vela finished as Bolton’s joint top goal scorer last season on 10 goals. The tenacious midfielder is a product of Bolton Wanderers Youth Academy, having been on the Trotters books since the age of nine. Vela made three Premier League appearances as a teenager and following a loan spell at Notts County, was given a chance in the Bolton first team in the Championship. Vela has now made over 100 appearances for the Trotters and at 24 years of age, Bolton fans will be hoping he builds on his breakthrough season of last year.
NEW SIGNINGS:
Parkinson brought in Championship experience in all areas, with Aaron Wilbraham and Craig Noone joining for undisclosed fees from Bristol City and Cardiff City respectively.
The Trotters also brought in a number of free agents. Will Buckley, Adam Le Fondre, Mark Little, Andrew Taylor, Stephen Darby, Sammy Ameobi and Karl Henry all joined the club ahead of the Championship season.
Bolton said goodbye to long serving midfielder Mark Davies, who left the club on a free. Jay Spearing and Max Clayton both joined Blackpool on free transfers. Lewis Buxton, Reece Wabara, Liam Trotter and Dean Moxey were amongst other first team players to be let go this summer.
Bolton’s Last Starting XI vs Hull City (4-2-3-1):
GK: Ben Alnwick
DL: Antonee Robinson
DC: Reece Burke
DC: Mark Beevers
DR: Mark Little
CDM: Darren Pratley
CDM: Karl Henry
RW: Will Buckley
CAM: Josh Vela
LW: Sammy Ameobi
ST: Gary Madine
Team News- Huddersfield Town
New signing Terrence Kongolo could be in line to make his Terriers debut. The Dutch international joined Town on a season long loan from Monaco on January 2nd. Elias Kachunga (knee), Philip Billing (ankle) and Jon Gorenc Stanković (knee) all missed games recently through injury.
Team News - Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Skipper Darren Pratley faces an extended period on the side-lines. The former Swansea man was forced off in the first half of the Trotters 1-0 victory over Hull and scans have revealed a fracture in the leg along with ankle ligament damage. Veteran Karl Henry is also a doubt having also been forced in the win over Hull with an injury.
KIT:
The Terriers will wear its red and black alternate kit for the trip to the Macron Stadium
TICKETS:
Tickets for the game are now on general sale. To find out about pricing, coach travel and any other information, please click here.
#HTTV:
If you haven’t got a ticket for the game, why not listen to the commentary provided by BBC Radio Leeds via #HTTV. To find out more and some of the great perks of having a #HTTV subscription, click here.
TRAVEL:
Supporters are encouraged to find alternative travel arrangements on Saturday as no trains will be running between Manchester and Bolton or Horwich Parkway (Macron Stadium) on the day of the game. A bus replacement service will be in operation with limited capacity and supporters are encouraged to find alternative methods.
Coach travel is available from the Ticket Office priced at £14 departing PPG Canalside at 12noon.
