March 12, 2008 5:54 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Veloso Absence Boosts Bolton

The news that Sporting star Miguel Veloso will probably not feature in Thursday's Uefa Cup last 16 second leg tie will be a relief to their opponents, Bolton Wanderers

Bolton are in Lisbon on Thursday for te second leg of their Uef Cup tie against Sporting Clube de Portugal, with whom they drew 1-1 at The Reebok a week ago. Gavin McCann opened the scoring and Simon Vukcevic equalised for Sporting.

The Premier League strugglers will have a major battle on their hands to maintain their so far impressive European adventure, but their task will be slightly easier now that Miguel Veloso, who has been linked with both Manchester United and Arsenal in the last few months, is expected to be ruled out with a thigh injury.

Brazilian striker Liedson is also a doubt for the clash at Estadio Jose Alvalade, but a decision about his fitness will be taken later today after Sporting’s last training session.

Distraction

Meanwhile, Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf has admitted that the Trotters' Uefa Cup run has had a direct effect on their League form - though he remainms confident they can avoid relegation to the Championship.

“Of course our form has been badly affected by the Uefa Cup,” Diouf told the Daily Mirror.

“But we have done well in Europe and now we just need more points to stay in The Premier League.

“If we continue the way we are going right now we will stay up.”