Owen Coyle is backing Darren Pratley to start on the scoring trail for Bolton as the midfielder prepares for his return to Swansea

Owen Coyle is backing Darren Pratley to start on the scoring trail for Bolton as the midfielder prepares for his return to Swansea

Pratley will this afternoon come face to face with the side that he left back in the summer and he arrives at the Liberty still looking for his first goal for his new club.

Pratley's last strike was a 50 yard shot at the Liberty to seal the Swans place in the play off final - capitalising on an empty net after Forest keeper Lee Camp came up for a corner.

Since the move he has been unable to secure his first goal and he arrives in South Wales with his Bolton team mates already three points behind the Swans as the season passes its first quarter mark.

“I think for the most part, yes, but we know there is more to come from him." says Coyle

“It will come for him. He has been doing terrifically with the energy and quality he is bringing.

“He has got to keep banging on the door and it will fly wide open for him.

“When it does, those goals will go in.

“Darren was outstanding for Swansea – the goals he scored, the energy he brought, the performances he gave

“He loved every second of his time there, but players move on and he came to Bolton Wanderers.

“I’d be very hopeful that the Swansea fans will give him the reception he deserves, given what he brought to the football club over many years and the huge contribution he made in helping them get to the Premier League.

“I think they were always going to bring another dimension to the Premier League because they are pleasing on the eye and have good players.

“I know as well from bringing my Burnley team into the league what that brings for everyone – the excitement, the freshness, the fans.

“Everybody is on board and there is a terrific buzz about your football club.”

Photo: Action Images

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