Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to the starting line-up on Wednesday after more than a month in exile on the bench and celebrated by scoring his 20th goal of the season in the 1-0 defeat of West Ham, United's seventh straight league win.

Now Ferguson must decide whether to retain the 29-year-old Dutchman alongside Wayne Rooney, or re-instate Frenchman Louis Saha whose goals have kept Van Nistelrooy out of the side.

Whoever he plays, Fergsuon knows victory at Bolton is vital in United's attempt to narrow the nine-point gap on champions Chelsea and keep comfortably ahead of third-placed Liverpool.

"I have a job picking my team for a massive game at Bolton on Saturday, although that is what I'm paid to do," Ferguson told United's website.

"When we were at our very best, we had four great strikers. It was certainly one of the factors in us winning the Treble," added Ferguson who also has high hopes for young American-born forward Giuseppe Rossi.

Chelsea's relentless march towards a second successive title is unlikely to falter at Birmingham City on Saturday and the battle for fourth place, and a slot in the qualifiers for next season's Champions League, is hotting up.

Tottenham Hotspur travel to Newcastle on Saturday hoping Robbie Keane can maintain his prolific form. The Ireland international has scored five goals in four games, including both in the 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Newcastle, who have lost their last three games, will be without midfielder Scott Parker with suspected glandular fever.

Arsenal, buoyant after their superb 2-0 victory over Juventus in the first leg of a Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday, are at home to an Aston Villa side still not safe from relegation. The Gunners have not lost the fixture since 1993.

Blackburn can benefit from any slip-ups from Arsenal or Tottenham when they play Wigan Athletic on Monday.