The Trotters can ill-afford to drop any more points after failing to win the last two outings against The Toffees and Arsenal.
Reading travel up north on the back of a 1-0 success over relegation-threatened Fulham last weekend. Stephen Hunt's early strike decided the contest.
The pair have only met three times since the fateful First Division play-off final when Bolton came from two down to eventually secure a 4-3 win.
The omens are not good for The Royals as the side have not won at Bolton since 1985, a run of eight league games without success against the Lancashire side.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce will be without veteran Ivan Campo through suspension following his red card against The Gunners last time out.
Iranian Andranik Teymourian is likely to fill the void vacated by the Spaniard, while centre-half Tal Ben Haim remains doubtful with a hamstring complaint.
Reading are likely to be without three regulars against Bolton, striker Leroy Lita (suspension), defender Graeme Murty (calf) and winger Glen Little (Achilles).
Bobby Convey, Ibrahima Sonko and Peter Mate all remain long-term injury victims for Steve Coppell's side, although Kevin Doyle is fit after a hamstring problem.
Sky Sports