Bodvarsson Close To Comeback

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson could return to action at some stage next week as the Whites edge nearer to a fully fit squad.

Bodvarsson has missed Wanderers’ last four games with a hamstring injury and won’t be ready to return at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

But the striker is close to resuming full training and adding towards the numbers building back up to match fitness and a place in manager Ian Evatt's selection plans.    

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“Jon has been on the grass all week and will be ready to join in fully on Monday,” said Evatt.

“Josh Sheehan and Eoin Toal are increasing their fitness level all of the time and Owen Beck is looking physically better this week.

“He’s still not probably quite where we want him to be but he’s getting their fast, which is good, and I saw some really good signs from him today.

“The squad is in a good place and have trained really well over the past couple of days.”

Evatt opted to keep his senior players together, rather than give any an outing in the B team which lost 2-1 to Huddersfield Town’s second string in the Central League Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

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After Saturday's trip to Cheltenham, the Whites go to MK Dons in mid-week before hosting Peterborough United.

And Wanderers then play a Papa Johns Trophy tie Tranmere Rovers on 20 September which could provide the stepping stone into League One action for some of his returning players, including recent loan signing Beck and Sheehan – who made his comeback from nine months out in the Whites’ opening group win over Crewe in the competition last week.

“We chose not to involve them with the B team because we felt with the two 11s we are able to pitch against each (in training) they’d get more from that than they would have in the B team game,” added Evatt.

“They’re still not quite at the fitness we require them to be at, but they will be there really quickly and hopefully they’ll get another 90 minutes under their belt – maybe in the Papa Johns game coming up and then they’ll be ready to go.”

Midfielder Lloyd Isgrove remains sidelined with a heel problem resulting from a bout of plantar fasciitis, which has delayed his return to action, but goalkeeper James Trafford will be fit to continue in goal at Cheltenham after recovering from a minor ankle knock.

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