Dougie Freedman is crossing his fingers he can add some firepower to his squad just hours before Bolton Wanderers’ away game in London against Queens Park Rangers tonight.
Freedman has seen his side lose top scorer Jermaine Beckford to injury and striker David Ngog to Swansea City leaving the Trotters short of goalscorers.
Bolton have been linked with a loan move for Middlesbrough striker Lukas Jutkiewicz over the weekend and Freedman has confirmed the striker has a chance of making the trip to west London.
“It is 95 per cent along the way for Jutkiewicz,” said Freedman.
“He is someone I have admired since his Everton days and he can be one of the top strikers in this division.
“We are nearly there and because of his pedigree and experience I think I would involve him if we get the deal done.”
Bolton will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their last visit to the south where there succumbed to a 7-1 defeat to Reading but Freedman believes that defeat goes against their away form this season.
“Prior to the Reading game our away form had been good but we have to make sure we start well at QPR.
“If we can stay in the game for the first 25 minutes, I firmly believe we will grow in confidence from there.”
Bolton will be helped by the fact that QPR’s ever present right back Danny Simpson is ruled out with a back injury and R’s boss Harry Redknapp knows the impact this will have on his side.
“It is a blow as he has been an ever present for us this season but he’s had a back problem which has been ongoing and it has got a bit worse so he has had some scans and he will be out for a while,” Redknapp told his press conference.
Bolton meanwhile welcome back Mark Davies who was rested for the Trotters 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Cardiff City on Saturday.
Keeper, Andy Lonergan, was at fault for Frazier Campbell’s winner and with Adam Bogdan available again many have called for a return for the Hungarian international but Freedman is in no doubt who his number one keeper is at the moment.
“Andrew Lonergan has been fantastic for us recently and he’s our number one goalkeeper right now.”
Last time the Trotters played at Loftus Road they ran out 4-0 winners in a Premier League game but Freedman knows that it will be a much tougher challenge when they travel to the second place Championship side.
“QPR have a very strong squad. If a player gets injured the quality they have as back-up is probably the best in the league.”
Image courtesy of BWFC Official via YouTube, with thanks.
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