Bolton Wanderers down to bare bones for Peterborough clash
WANDERERS’ squad has been hit hard with injuries in recent weeks – with potentially six senior players now in the treatment room.
Dion Charles is the latest concern for Ian Evatt after Saturday’s defeat at Reading, and with Eoin Toal facing a one-game suspension for his late red card there are now potentially just 17 fit players who have played senior football at Bolton who can feature in this weekend’s game at home to Peterborough United.
That list includes Luke Matheson and Nelson Khumbeni, who both have just one substitute appearance to their name.
Former Wolves man Matheson travelled with the first team to Reading but was not named on the substitute’s bench.
Here we look at the players who have been ruled out of the game.
GEORGE JOHNSTON
Has had surgery on his knee after picking the injury up in the club’s opening pre-season friendly at Bamber Bridge.
On the plus side, the operation was a success and there are not thought to be any complications for Johnston as he starts a slow rehab with a view to joining in again next summer.
But given his consistency last term and his improvement in two years at the club, his absence has been a big miss.
JOEL COLEMAN
Tore his calf muscle in the Carabao Cup defeat against Middlesbrough and had to be swapped at half time. The Bolton-born keeper had been brought over the summer on a free transfer in to push Nathan Baxter and had done a solid job in his couple of appearances in the cup competitions.
Coleman was initially expected to be out of action for six weeks, which means he could be back in contention by the start of next month.
CARLOS MENDES GOMES
After a bright start for Bolton, the summer signing from Luton Town injured his hamstring in the EFL Trophy win against Salford City – a game in which he also scored his first goal for the club.
It is thought the injury will keep him out of action for about a month, which means he is unlikely to feature before the next international break in mid-October.
PARIS MAGHOMA
The on-loan Brentford midfielder has made nine appearances this season, two of which were starts in League One. But he picked up a thigh injury in training last week and is another player ruled out until the international break.
ZAC ASHWORTH
Ashworth has been used sparingly so far by Wanderers but the young defender has made three appearances and grabbed a first senior goal in the Carabao Cup against Barrow.
He picked up a calf problem whilst on international duty with Wales Under-21s which the club expect will keep him out of action for another week.
DION CHARLES?
Bolton’s top scorer this season and last, the Northern Ireland international had to be taken off towards the end of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Reading after damaging his shoulder.
It is not yet know whether Charles will be unavailable long term but manager Ian Evatt was hopeful after the final whistle that the striker could manage the injury and that he would not necessarily miss games.
