Coyle set to suffle pack for Blades tie (From The Bolton News)

Coyle set to suffle pack for Blades tie

8:40am Saturday 23rd January 2010 in

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OWEN Coyle is preparing to ring the changes as his side bid for a place in the last 16 of the FA Cup.

The Wanderers boss has openly admitted he intends to use the visit of Sheffield United this afternoon to assess some of his squad players, which could open the door for Johan Elmander, Sam Ricketts, Jlloyd Samuel, Riga and Ali Al Habsi to come into the first team equation for the first time under his management.

Coyle says his decision will not be made on the back of midweek exertions at Arsenal. But with Paul Robinson a doubt after picking up an ankle injury in the 4-2 defeat at the Emirates, and both Gavin McCann (thigh) and Ricardo Gardner (groin) unavailable, a first team shuffle seems inevitable.

“How much have the Arsenal games taken out of them? I would hope not a lot,” said the Scot. “I would hope that if we trained right and rested at the right time, we can replicate those performances.

“But I recognise there are one or two players who are due an opportunity to show us what they have got.”

Coyle insists he is not playing down the FA Cup with his selection choices — and given that Manchester United and Liverpool are already out of the competition, knows there is potentially a better opportunity to make the final stages.

“You want to be in it for as long as you can, and as with any competition you enter, you want to be at the business end,” he said.

“There is a glamour, prestige and different edge to the cup, so there is that sense of excitement — particularly for one of the old school like myself.

“I was fortunate to play in a tremendous Bolton side who had a couple of cup runs, and then manage a Burnley team last year that did something similar.

“Particularly last year, it wasn’t just the prestige but the finance played a big part as well. I think the Arsenal game at the Emirates alone was worth well over a million pounds, and if those finances hadn’t been forthcoming there would have been a big strain on the football club.”

Meanwhile, Coyle claims he has had no concrete offers for defender Danny Shittu, but that full-back Nicky Hunt could extend his loan period with Derby until the end of the season.

“Nicky has been on loan at Derby and I think they have tried to pursue something with that,” he said. “I think they have asked the question.

“I have heard bits and pieces about Danny but no-one has come on to me directly. He’s been out there at the African Nations, so we will see what happens.”

l Wanderers will be accepting cash payments for tickets in selected areas of the ground at today’s tie.

Both blocks I and L in the East Stand Lower tier and Blocks P and M in the North Stand Lower tier will sell tickets at the turnstiles.

Tickets for the West Stand Upper and Lower tiers will be available from the Ticket and Membership office only. Turnstiles will open at 1:30pm.

Adults will pay £12 behind the goals or £15 on the sides. Over-65s and 18-20s will pay £11 or £10 and Under-18s, £5.