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Newly promoted Huddersfield Town got off to a flying start in the Championship, going undefeated in all but one of their first seven games back in the second tier of English football. The last few weeks, on the other hand, have not been kind to them. Simon Grayson's men have not won in their last four matches with three of those being losses. As a result, they sit just three points and three spaces above Bolton Wanderers in the table.
Bolton have had a similar start under Dougie Freedman. After going six matches unbeaten, the Trotters finally tasted defeat last weekend in ugly fashion against Ipswich Town. Bradley Orr hit a thunderous volley right at Adam Bogdan in the dying stages of the match and the goalkeeper failed to hold onto the ball. Ipswich's Michael Chopra wisely followed the shot and tapped home from close range to seal an unlikely win for the Tractor Boys.
Both the Terriers and the Trotters have squad selection dilemmas ahead of the weekend's match at John Smith's Stadium. Bolton will be without Tyrone Mears at right back after his penalty-awarding tackle against Ipswich earned him his fifth yellow card of the season. On the other flank, it seems that Stephen Warnock is still a doubt for the men in white thanks to a toe infection that kept him out against Ipswich Town. Other than that, it's the usual for Bolton Wanderers with Stu Holden, David Wheater, and Josh Vela all still nursing their knees. Hopefully, yesterday's Holden news will serve as a boost for the players.
Huddersfield Town will be without midfielder Keith Southern as he is forced to sit the match out due to a suspension. Jermaine Beckford, the forward who scored against Bolton at the death for Everton a few seasons ago, will also miss the match with a hamstring injury. Forward James Vaughan is a doubt but will have a late fitness test on his thigh.
Saturday's match will be the first time that the two clubs have met since the 2000/2001 season in the first division. The two fixtures that year had a boatload of goals with a total of nine. The Wanderers walked out of John Smith's Stadium with a 3-2 victory in September before the two clubs drew 2-2 at the Reebok Stadium the following February.