Bolton rocked by loss of defender Cahill

Cahill, who was released from hospital on Monday, will definitely miss Tuesday evening's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands and boss Owen Coyle fears that he has lost one of his most prized assets for the rest of the campaign.

Coyle said: "It is a severe blow for the boy, but our main concern is his welfare. We have to make sure Gary is fit and well.

"He will miss the next few months. It might be for the rest of the season - we will hear from the specialist later.

"The clot needed to be resolved and in doing that you need the medication. It follows you can't play.

"As disappointed as we are, at 24, Gary has a marvellous career ahead of him. I believe he would have made the World Cup for the summer, but we have to make sure first of all he recovers from this blood clot."

Wanderers are only one point off the relegation places, albeit with a game in hand over the bottom three, but the loss of Cahill will do team morale no good at all.

On-loan winger Vladimir Weiss is also absent on Tuesday night as the Slovakian cannot face his parent club.

Andy O'Brien (thigh) and Fabrice Muamba (ankle) are both doubtful through injury, while Gavin McCann and Ivan Klasnic remain sidelined.

City have injury problems of their own before tonight's match, with star striker Craig Bellamy set to miss out as a result of his long-standing knee injury.

Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini, however, is hopeful that he will have the Wales star back for Saturday's FA Cup fifth round match against Stoke.

Defender Joleon Lescott is likely to be on the bench after completing 45 minutes of a training match, but Dedryck Boyata could continue in defence as Vincent Kompany is still struggling with a groin problem and Micah Richards is doubtful because of a calf injury.

Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson are expected to be involved again after impressing in their debuts as substitutes in the defeat at Hull on Saturday, while Roque Santa Cruz has recovered from a calf strain.

City are still well-positioned in the race for a top four finish, despite losing to Hull at the weekend.

Mancini's side are currently in sixth place on 41 points but have played two fewer matches than the five teams above them.

Reports have suggested that Mancini's prescence at Eastlands is dependent on him guiding City to a top four finish this season.