PHIL Parkinson is preparing to welcome Jay Spearing, Andy Taylor and Gary Madine back into his side for tomorrow’s home clash with Bristol Rovers.

Though smarting from a 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United, the Wanderers boss urged his side not to sulk as they look to get their automatic promotion chase back on track.

Spearing returns from a two-match ban and Taylor, out for the last fortnight with a hamstring injury, is also due to return to full training duties this morning after running at 70 per cent for most of last week.

Madine – a late withdrawal from Saturday’s squad because of illness – is also expected to be back in contention for a place up front.

Parkinson felt two major decisions went against his side at Bramall Lane but admitted the performance level in the second half was not up to scratch.

He felt John Fleck’s first-half challenge on Tom Thorpe was worthy of a red card – and the shoulder injury sustained by the Wanderers midfielder could threaten his participation against Rovers at the Macron.

Parkinson also claimed Samir Carruthers dived to earn a second-half penalty, which gifted Billy Sharp his second and decisive goal.

Regardless of the injustice, the Whites boss is keen to put the result in the past and concentrate on getting back to winning ways.

“We need a response,” he told The Bolton News. “It’s no use sulking because we have got to get some key players back out there on the training pitch and ready for the Bristol Rovers game.”

Wanderers dropped to fourth place as a result of Saturday’s defeat, Sheffield United extending their lead at the top to seven points from second-placed Scunthorpe.

Parkinson believes the Blades’ depth of squad means they will be difficult to catch.

“The lead is stretching all the time,” he said. They have practically had an open cheque book to get to where they are. They needed a striker and went and bought the best big man in the league in James Hanson. When you are in that position you have always got a chance.

“From our point of view, we have got some good players coming back into this team and we need to be at full strength to compete.”