WANDERERS will have to alter their lineup a few times for Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy game at Stockport County.
Due to the absence of Dion Charles, Eoin Toal, Josh Sheehan, and Carlos Mendes Gomes, Ian Evatt may need to turn to the B Team in order to increase his squad size.
Bolton is assured of a spot in the next round after winning their opening two games, but a draw with County, who are playing well, would guarantee them first place.
With an eye toward the game, Evatt stated that adjustments were inevitable.
“I don’t really have many options,” he remarked. “We put in the effort, and we know we’re through, but we still want to win so we can play at home in the next round and top the group.
We must consider offering younger players some opportunities, though, as we are lacking in numbers. Take a look at them. Luke Matheson, for example, is deserving of a shot and will get one, but there are other people who are eager to use that game and show me what they are capable of.
For their part, the foreign players only need to maintain their physical well-being and ethical representation of the team. We hope they can go and influence the plans that their county has made.
In matches against Burkina Faso and Djibouti, Mendes Gomes will make his Guinea Bissau debut; however, because the games are in North Africa, there will be less travel time.
The attacker has only recently returned from a hamstring injury and will head out to represent his country with words of advice from his club manager.
Evatt explained: “I don’t think it is as bad as it might have been – they are not playing in Guinea Bissau. They are playing in Morocco and Egypt, I believe, which are not quite as long a journey, on neutral ground.
“It is also important for him to realise where he is in his return to full fitness. He was out a long time and had quite a serious injury and it is important he manages his body in the correct manner.”
In order to heal some of the minor injuries they have been dealing with recently, Wanderers will reassemble over the international break.
While Gethin Jones (ankle), Aaron Morley (hip), Kyle Dempsey (back), and Zac Ashowrth (calf) have all experienced significant injuries, Will Forrester should recover from his knee problems.
“The players require and deserve a reset,” stated Evatt. It required a lot of energy for us to defeat Blackpool and win those away games the way we did. It truly was a collaborative effort.
“The players have my utmost pride, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
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