Gary Megson has urged his Bolton strikers to "step up to the plate" and score the goals to fire them to safety.Megson will have to manage without influential striker Kevin Davies - he scored the winner against West Ham - as he is suspended for Saturday's trip to face Middlesbrough.

Heidar Helguson could replace Davies as Bolton look for back-to-back wins at The Riverside.

And when asked if it was a good time for El-Hadji Diouf to rediscover his scoring touch in Davies' absence, Megson said: "Everyone needs to step up to the plate, not just him.

"We all know Diouf has turned matches in the past. There are some things he is good at, some things he is not so good at."

With goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen sidelined through injury, Ali Al Habsi is expected to retain the jersey.

Despite the Oman international conceding four at Aston Villa, Megson has been pleased with the player's progress.

He said: "I do not think any of those goals were down to him and I have been delighted with his performances.

"We saw how well he coped in the UEFA Cup against Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade.

"What we were not sure of was how he would do in the Premier League. But it is going really well - and he is proving he is good at his job."

More Football News from TEAMtalk