Mark Venus, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Saturday, is George Burley's biggest worry ahead the vitally important bottom of the table match with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Venus has a knee problem which has not healed as well as expected.

The veteran defender jarred the knee in Monday's match against Chelsea and has missed training throughout the week. The club had thought it would be OK for Saturday, but Venus again missed training yesterday and is considered a big doubt.

George Burley says he'll give Venus as long as possible before ruling him out. If he doesn't make it then George Burley has two or three options. Hermann Hreidarsson could move to centre-back with Jamie Clapham coming in at left-back. Otherwise Titus Bramble, subbed at half-time in Wednesday's reserve game, may step in. A third option is a start for Thomas Gaardsøe, although he played the full 90 on Wednesday.

Elsewhere Town are still without Chris Makin who has an ankle injury which is likely to keep him out for longer than the two weeks originally expected. Although there is no serious problem Makin's ankle is still bruised and swollen and it looks like another two or three weeks before he will be available. Fabian Wilnis will continue to deputise.

Town's other injuries are Jermaine Wright (hernia, operation needed in summer), Matteo Sereni (thigh strain), Keith Branagan (shoulder) and Pablo Couñago (twisted ankle). With Sereni and Branagan injured Mike Salmon will be on the bench.

Bolton could recall goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen after suspension while Stig Tøfting and Gudni Bergsson are both looking at returns after the Town match. Saturday's referee is Jeff Winter.

Town squad: Marshall, Salmon, Wilnis, Clapham, McGreal, Venus, Hreidarsson, Bramble, Gaardsøe, Holland, Magilton, T Miller, Peralta, George, Reuser, Stewart, M Bent, Armstrong, D Bent and Le Pen.

Bolton squad: Jaaskelainen, Poole, N'Gotty, Konstantinidis, Whitlow, Charlton, Warhurst, Nolan, Djorkaeff, Gardner, Holdsworth, Frandsen, Bobic, Ricketts and Wallace.

Photo: Action Images

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