Evans and manager Gary Megson will be hoping their side can record their fifth win in six Premier League games against Chelsea on Saturday.

An intriguing sub-plot to the clash is Anelka's first return to the Reebok Stadium and Evans is adamant the France striker deserves to be shown respect.

Anelka, 29, signed a new four-year contract with Bolton in August 2007 but made it clear he wanted out of the club when Chelsea came calling in January.

"Nicolas should get a very good reception," said Evans.

"He made the decision that he wanted to leave, but from a reception point of view from the supporters I would like to think they will show him due respect.

"He is an extremely talented player. I only arrived here at the end of October last season but I only had to see him in training to realise he is class act and a top goalscorer .

"He has managed to replicate that again this season."

Indeed, Anelka is enjoying a remarkable campaign and already has 14 goals in all competitions to his name.

His January departure from Bolton did not help Gary Megson's side and they narrowly survived relegation.

After a sticky start to the current campaign, Megson's men look capable of avoiding the drop after four wins in their previous five outings.

The Trotters destroyed Sunderland 4-1 last weekend - their third successive away win - but Evans accepts Chelsea will be the clear favourites to emerge victorious in Lancashire this weekend.

He said: "Obviously most of the games they play they are regarded as the favourites and I don't think that will be any different this weekend.

"But we are having a good run of form at the moment and apart from results we are playing very well.

"Even when results weren't going well for us we felt we were putting a good shift in.

"Sometimes you don't get what you deserve but if you have the belief then results will turn and that's exactly what's happened to us.

"Confidence is a big thing in any sport but since the beginning of the season there has been a terrific camaraderie at the club.

"That's not something that's just happened and it's not false - the players get on well together here and the manager goes to great lengths to foster that.

"The one thing we do have is a terrific spirit a great togetherness and I think if you have that can align that with ability then you have the ingredients for success."

Bolton have a clean bill of health after midfielder Matt Taylor shrugged off a slight strain picked up at the Stadium of Light last weekend.