Evatt Still Leading From The Front

Ian Evatt hopes to lead his side to victory - regardless of where he’s sitting when Wanderers launch a big home run on Tuesday night.

The Whites play the first of three home games in eight days when they face Morecambe at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Evatt is still waiting to hear the punishment for his sending off at Port Vale on Saturday after he contested the controversial red card for skipper Ricardo Almeida Santos, which will see the defender serve a one-game suspension against the Shrimps.

But even if the Whites’ boss is banned from the dug-out, his presence will still be felt as Wanderers aim to extend their unbeaten start to the season.

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“It’s not ideal that I might not be in the technical area but I trust my staff 100 per cent and they know exactly what’s required – as do the players,” said Evatt.

“We will do our work before the game and then hopefully the players can go out there and execute the game plan.

“We’re feeling good, feeling positive and still carrying momentum from Saturday.

“Even though we faced a lot of adversity, we still came out with a positive feeling and hopefully we can continue that tomorrow night.”

Wanderers defended superbly at Vale Park to secure a point from a 0-0 draw, which could have been upgraded to three had Amadou Bakayoko’s first-half header been seen to have crossed the line.

The Whites also created further chances and while Dion Charles will still be missing for the visit of Morecambe, the striker is in line end to a three-match absence with a thigh injury to bolster Evatt’s striking options for the visit of early League One pace-setters Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup next week.

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“Dion has trained really well and he’s okay now,” added the Wanderers’ manager.

“It’s probably too soon for him tomorrow but he’ll be back available for Sheffield Wednesday.”

More positive injury news should come on Tuesday afternoon with Josh Sheehan and Lloyd Isgrove expected to start for the B team at Fleetwood Town in their opening Central League game.

The midfielder pair have been both been out since November and will be watched at Town’s training ground (KO 1pm) by Evatt, who will also give a run-out to George Thomason, who serves the second match of his three-game ban at first-team level.

“It’s been a long road to recovery for both of those players, so I’m really excited for them to see how they get on and hopefully they’ll come through fine and be back available for to us sooner rather than later,” said Evatt.

“I think they’re both excited to see how they can help us and strengthen us.

“We’ve transformed really as a team since their injuries, so we’re looking forward to having them both back and I think they can both have a huge impact for us this season.”

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