Neil Lennon wary of Daniel Sturridge ahead of Cup replay

Tuesday 03 Feb 2015
Lennon is prepared for a tough tie on Wednesday evening
Neil Lennon is under no illusions of the task that faces his Bolton Wanderers side in The FA Cup on Wednesday.

The Trotters host Liverpool in their Fourth Round replay, after previously holding the Premier League side to a draw an Anfield in the first meeting.

But there’s a new twist in the tale, with Liverpool ready to unleash Daniel Sturridge into action against one of his former clubs.

Bolton Wanderers v Liverpool

The FA Cup
Fourth Round Proper replay
7.45pm, Wednesday 4 February
Macron Stadium, Bolton
Winners receive £90,000 from prize fund
Live on BBC One

Sturridge enjoyed a successful loan spell with Bolton in 2011, scoring eight goals in 11 appearances, before he left former club Chelsea for Liverpool 18 months later.

And, after scoring his first goal since his return from five months on the sidelines against West Ham at the weekend, Sturridge looks set for more involvement at the Macron Stadium.

"Daniel coming in will obviously make them better," admitted Lennon.

"He's been missed, there's no question of that. He'll be hungry to play and that's obviously very dangerous for us.

"I think he walked round the back of the goal in the first tie and got a huge reception from the Bolton fans. 

"Speaking to the chairman about him, he said he was fantastic here so I think he'll get a nice reception. 

"But if he scores that might change a little bit."

Liverpool reached the semi-final of the League Cup last month, where they missed out on a trip to Wembley at the hands of Chelsea.

But having seen them get back to winning ways last weekend, Lennon feels they will make the short trip from Merseyside full of confidence and determination to continue another Cup adventure.

"They're on a good run," added the former Celtic boss. 

Watch Bolton youngster Zach Clough net the winner for Wanderers in The FA Cup

"I know they lost at Chelsea but they bounced back really well with a good win over a very good West Ham team."

Bolton have their own dangerman to call upon though, with 19-year-old Zach Clough becoming a new fans’ favourite at the Macron.

Clough scored their winner against Wigan Athletic in the Third Round last month and was on the mark again with a brace against Wolves in the Championship on Saturday.

But Lennon was keen to play down his involvement in Wednesday’s replay.

"I don't want to talk too much about Zach because everyone's asking about him and I don't want to build him up into something that he might never be," he explained.

"But he's a very good young player and he's made a tremendous start to his career.

"We had no hesitation in putting him in the team and as soon as he was fit we put him back in the team.

"He seems to handle whatever pressure he feels - he looks to me like he doesn't really feel the pressure at all - and Wednesday night will be no different.

"He'll certainly want to play. Whether I pick him or not is another thing but if he does play then I'm sure he'll be really looking forward to it."

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels