Wheater facing months out

Bolton have been rocked by the news David Wheater is facing nine months on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

The defender picked up the injury during the 2-2 draw with West Brom on Sunday and although the injury looked serious at the time he managed to soldier on until half time before being replaced by Zat Knight. The 25-year-old will miss this weekend's crucial must win clash against Stoke but will also be missing for the first few months of next season whatever division Bolton find themselves in. It is a huge blow ahead of the trip to the Britannia Stadium and Knight is likely to get the nod again unless Coyle decides to take a risk on a youngster like Mark Connolly. A club statement issued on Monday read: "Scans have revealed that David Wheater has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The defender picked up the injury when he landed awkwardly during yesterday's home game against West Bromwich Albion. "He is expected to be out of action for up to nine months."