Stuttering Sporting seek European lift

Bento aim
Gavin McCann handed Bolton the lead in the first leg only for Simon Vukčević to equalise for a Sporting side bidding to reach a second UEFA Cup final in three years. "If we play our natural game there's every chance we can move closer to our goal of reaching another final," said Sporting coach Paulo Bento. "It's important we remain organised in defence, but at the same time attack and make life as difficult as possible for Bolton."

Liedson return
Bento received a major boost with Liedson returning to training this week after two weeks out with a thigh strain. The 30-year-old, who has been declared fit to start, has scored six times in Europe this season and is just one goal shy of equalling Sporting's all-time European record of 18 strikes, held jointly by João Lourenço and Manuel Fernandes. Bento can also call upon the fit-again forward Yannick Djaló, but midfield pair Miguel Veloso (thigh) and Milan Purović (knee) are out after picking up knocks in Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Vitória SC. Derlei, Tiago and Paulo Renato are also missing.

Relegation fears
Bolton manager Gary Megson has left several regulars at home to keep them fresh for the Premier League relegation battle. Captain Kevin Nolan and goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen miss out again with back injuries, while Kevin Davies, Matt Taylor, Andy O'Brien, Iván Campo, El Hadji Diouf and Ricardo Gardner have all been omitted along with the suspended McCann. Wanderers are in 18th place in England after losing their last three matches, and Megson said: "We're in the bottom three and that's our main concern."

Healthy record
Still, Bolton boast a healthy away record in this season's competition, having beaten FK Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and secured draws at FC Bayern München and Club Atlético de Madrid, and Megson has not given up hope, saying: "I would like to be preparing for this match under different circumstances, but we know exactly what we have to do - and that's score a goal."