Bolton Wanderers made two defensive changes as they looked to end a losing run against Cardiff City. Ben Davies came into the starting line-up, replacing the injured Chris Forino, while Akin Famewo returned from injury to take a place among the substitutes.
The club confirmed the team news ahead of the fixture, which pitted the 20th-placed Trotters against last season's League One rivals. Bolton sat on seven points from seven games, having lost four of their last five. They were aiming for only a second home win of the campaign.
Starting line-ups confirmed
Gavin Bazunu started in goal behind a back four of Ander Larrazabal, Ben Davies, Eoin Toal and Bobby Conway. The midfield trio was Josh Sheehan, Ethan Erhahon and Samuel Iling-Junior, supporting a front line of Rúben Rodrigues and Sam Dalby. On the bench, alongside Famewo, were goalkeepers Nathan Bonham and Harry Tyrer, plus attackers Thierry Gale, Thelonius Bair, Jon Dadi Báðarson, Xavi Simons, Aaron Hardie and James McAtee.
Cardiff City's line-up included goalkeeper Nathan Trott and a defence of Oliver Bagan, Tom Osho, Krystian Bielik and Finley Moylan. Their midfield featured Kamran Salech, Harry Tanner and Chris Willock, with the attack led by Scott Robertson, Rubin Colwill and Perry Ng.
Looking to build momentum
The match followed a narrow mid-week defeat to league leaders West Ham, a 3-2 loss that had seen Erhahon and Rodrigues on the scoresheet. Manager Ian Evatt told the club's website his side needed to respond. "We have to show a reaction," he said. "The performance against West Ham was good in parts but we need the result now."
With Lewis Brunt and Luca Stephenson still sidelined, the return of Famewo provided a welcome boost to defensive options. The focus now shifts to a trip to face Norwich City on September 20, a key fixture in Bolton's battle to climb the Championship table.
