OWEN Coyle has warned his players that failure is not an option in tomorrow’s crucial derby clash with Wigan Athletic.

Far from playing down the significance of the game to Wanderers’ season, the Scot openly admits there is huge pressure on his team to beat their near neighbours.

With Blackburn Rovers hosting QPR, and Wolves at home to West Brom the following day, a defeat this weekend would be a hammer blow to Bolton’s survival hopes.

But Coyle is confident this could be a defining moment in the season, and with home games against West Brom, QPR, Fulham and Blackburn to come, he hopes the Whites’ improving form at the Reebok will see them over the line.

“The Reebok was a fortress last year and we had to get back to that,” he said. “I think we have shown we're capable and we have to show that again on Saturday.

“There's no doubt when you play the teams in and around you that they are absolutely vital to everybody.

“They term them sixpointers and you can see why. In August and September you can probably get away with the odd mistake, but when it comes to the business end of the season, they are the games that really need winning.

“Wigan have got their own reasons, but we’ve got to focus on moving up the league.”

Coyle’s squad has been boosted by the return of Gretar Steinsson from a hamstring strain and the fact Marvin Sordell has shown no ill-effects from an eye injury sustained in Tuesday's behind-closed-doors friendly victory over Preston North End.

Tim Ream is also available after completing his first full week of training since his move from New York Red Bulls.

Coyle accepts his side have only themselves to blame for such a pressured atmosphere surrounding the Latics' visit, particularly following a poor performance at Norwich.

“We made a slow start to the season, so every game becomes bigger because you are playing catch up,” he said. “We were disappointed on two fronts last weekend. One because we lost the game, but two, because the standard of our play never got to the standard it should.

“But over the course of the last eight or nine games we have improved – we have shown quality to win games.

“We know it will be tough against Wigan. Roberto Martinez is an excellent manager and he has a great staff. It's a local derby but I think we've hit form at the Reebok at the right time. That's going to be really important in the last part of the season.”