Coyle eager to deliver winning tribute to Lofthouse

Bolton's management and players have emphasised their determination to lift the FA Cup as a fitting tribute to the late Nat Lofthouse.

Former England centre forward Lofthouse, who died in January, scored two goals the last time the club won the trophy. That was in 1958, when a Manchester United side decimated by the Munich air disaster were beaten at Wembley.

Tomorrow, Bolton return to the stadium when they face Stoke in the semi-finals of the competition.

Manager Owen Coyle believes they need to be professional, not emotional, if they want to honour Lofthouse in the correct way and progress further.

Coyle said: "It would be a lovely thing to come to fruition but to do that you have to play out of your skin and earn the right. There is a big obstacle to overcome first if we are to get to the final, as this is a very good Stoke side.

"You can understand how everyone feels about Nat's passing, but we have to make sure come the game we are fully focused."

Coyle will make one enforced change as on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge is ineligible.

Rodrigo and Ivan Klasnic are among the contenders to replace Sturridge, who scored a brace in the victory against West Ham last weekend. Midfielder Mark Davies is expected to be included in the squad after returning to training following an ankle problem.

Meanwhile, Tony Pulis has an abiding affection for the FA Cup, so it is no surprise the Stoke manager feels a growing excitement ahead of his side's semi-final.

As a boy, growing up in Newport, South Wales, Pulis used to be glued to his television set when the cup final was taking place.

Then, after the last ball had been kicked and the trophy and medals presented, Pulis would rush out into the street to try to emulate his heroes.

Pulis, 53, said: "When I was younger the only live games you watched were the FA Cup. That was so, so special. I understand the world moves on and we get a little bit blase because there is so much live football on the television.

"I do recognise you have international football and Champions League, the Premier League, then the FA Cup. That's sad. The FA Cup used to be the pinnacle. But it will always be special to me and to people of my generation.

"To reach the final for me would be absolutely fantastic, not just for me but for everybody connected with the club."