Ba and Jardel ready for Reebok debuts

Ibrahim Ba and Mario Jardel are both expected to play their first home games for Bolton Wanderers against Walsall in the Carling Cup tonight.

It will be a full debut for French winger Ba and a first appearance at the Reebok Stadium for Jardel, the Portuguese striker who has been struggling to shed some weight since joining in the summer.

The Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has announced he will rest four experienced players for the second round tie - Emerson Thome, Youri Djorkaeff, Ivan Campo and Jussi Jaaskelainen.

"The squad I have selected for the game is very strong and experienced," Allardyce said. "I will confirm my team nearer to kick-off, but Ibrahim and Mario have a fantastic chance of figuring in the starting line-up. They have trained hard all week and we will see how fit they are in a competitive environment."

Allardyce has fielded weakened squads in this competition in previous seasons but he insists there will be no lack of effort against Walsall. "We will be going all out to win the game and to continue to build on the fantastic record we have at the Reebok Stadium," he said.

"I expect the players that I have at my disposal to have enough ability to win the match. We cannot afford to take the game lightly.

"We expect them to play above themselves and the fact that they won't be feeling the pressures of the league may mean they'll enjoy playing against a Premiership outfit."