Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Manchester City manager, has admitted he is afraid Nicolas Anelka will end his team’s 100 per cent record at Eastlands on the French striker’s return tomorrow with Bolton Wanderers.

Anelka, the former Manchester City player, is joint top scorer in the Premier League with nine goals, and will be eager to impress against his former employers.

The home side have won all eight of their Premier League games at Eastlands, but Anelka has a habit of scoring against his former clubs and is in a good run of form: “Anelka is everything you could wish for from a striker, he is a fantastic player,” said Eriksson.

“He has good technique, pace, is big and strong and scores goals. I have known about Anelka since he played for Arsenal. I came close to buying him when I was at Lazio – but he wanted to go to a Premier League club instead. I admire him but it is our job to stop him,” said Eriksson.

A boost for Eriksson is the expected return of Elano, the Brail international, from a hamstring injury. The creative playmaker has become increasingly influential for Manchester City, with four goals and five assists so far this season, and could hold the key to breaking down an increasingly stubborn Bolton. Dietmar Hamann, the Germany midfielder, returns from suspension, but Stephen Ireland sits out the first of his three matches after the red card he received against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday.

Darius Vassell, the England international striker, has set his sights on cementing a first-team spot, with injuries and lack of form having hampered his career in Manchester since he joined in 2005: “There is competition for places, and that’s the way it should be,” said Vassell. “The team is playing well and we are working hard together. We have started well but we have to build on that in the coming weeks. I love it at City and I want to do well here,” said Vassell.

Eriksson, the former England manager, is aware of the threat posed by Gary Megson’s rapidly improving side: “They are playing some good football at the moment,” said Eriksson. “Bolton are quite physical, but we are not concerned about that – only the job we have to do. We just have to go out and play football – that’s all that matters,” said Eriksson.