Bolton Wanderers enter a crucial stage of their season, as they attempt to qualify for next season’s Europa League, either via their EPL position or the FA Cup.

They follow this Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final trip to Carling Cup winners and EPL strugglers Birmingham City with a trip to Old Trafford seven days later to meet EPL leaders Manchester United.

Off the field, it was announced that striker Ivan Klasnic will not face charges after allegations of rape, which were made last autumn, have been dropped.

And central defender Zak Knight looks set to return next month from the knee injury he suffered last month.

Manager Owen Coyle said that his side were inspired to their 3-2 EPL victory over Aston Villa last Saturday by keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s second-half penalty save, when Villa were 2-1 up.

Coyle said: “If Aston Villa had scored the penalty to make it 3-1 it would have been a long way back. But Jussi made a tremendous save

“We were brave and the spirit we have pushed us on to win the game.”

Croatian striker Klasnic was arrested last October after an alleged incident in Manchester City centre. But a Greater Manchester police spokesman confirmed last week that the 30-year-old “will face no further action.”