Bolger hoping to do another Irish jig of joy

It was two of Town’s Celtic contingent – Celbridge native Bolger and Northern Ireland international Conor McLaughlin – who found the net in the reverse fixture as Town left the Cherry Red Records Stadium with a 2-2 draw in November.

It was Bolger’s first league goal for Fleetwood and he has added four since, including another fine header to seal victory at Walsall on Tuesday.

Bolger is expecting a physical battle at Highbury tomorrow and said: “We know it will be a difficult game but we are ready for it.”

Town bounced back at Walsall after promotion rivals Bolton ended their 18-match unbeaten run and inflicted their first league defeat at home since September’s 4-1 loss toMK Dons.

Bolger shook off illness to score Tuesday’s winner as Town maintained their grip on second spot in the table.

He said: “I think we were always confident. We lost on Saturday but I don’t think the dressing room was too down about it.

“It was a long unbeaten run and it was going to end sometime, but we went again on Tuesday and picked ourselves back up.

“It was important that we bounced back. We thought we played well on Saturday but it was one of those days.”

Bolger nodded in Cameron Brannagan’s corner in the 22nd minute at the Banks’s Stadium and added: “The delivery was great.

“Once the delivery is there, I can get a run on it and I fancy myself every time. It is good we don’t always rely on the front men to score.

“It doesn’t really matter who scores so long as we pick up the three points. At the end of the day it is about the team and where we want to go. The main objective is to keep a clean sheet and it was pleasing to get one.”

Centre-half Ash Eastham missed the reverse fixture and is expected to miss out again tomorrow, with Godswill Ekpolo having slotted in on the right side of the defensive three in the win over the Saddlers.

It was Godswill’s first League One start since the 2-1 defeat at Port Vale in November, since when Town have only lost one league fixture in 20.

Bolger says the ex-Barcelona youth product did well in midweek.

He added: “I thought he did well considering he has not been in the frame for a long time.

“I think he has been playing well in the reserve games and he always trains at 100 per cent, so he was always ready to step in when needed and I thought he did very well.”