Ricketts joy at Mears return

Bolton defender Sam Ricketts believes the debut of Tyrone Mears provided one of few positives from the weekend loss to Norwich.

Full-back Mears, 28, broke his leg soon after joining the Trotters from Burnley last summer.

Mears played 90 minutes at Carrow Road on Saturday but could not prevent a 2-0 defeat that saw Owen Coyle's men slip back into the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Ricketts said: "Tyrone played really well.

"It wasn't an easy match to make your comeback with the way they play at home and the players they have.

"Physically he stood up to it well and you can see what a good player he is."