Wanderers boss shares ‘worrying’ illness and injury updates ahead of Leyton Orient trip…

Bolton Wanderers are facing a challenging scenario with a slew of injury and illness issues ahead of their upcoming match against Leyton Orient, who are currently in formidable form. The situation unfolded around the 2-1 FA Cup replay defeat to Luton Town, creating uncertainty for manager Ian Evatt regarding the available squad for the Brisbane Road fixture.

Concerns arose when Will Forrester was substituted at halftime as a precaution due to back and hamstring complaints. Additionally, Randell Williams was deemed unfit for squad inclusion due to a similar issue. The squad’s woes were further compounded by a virus affecting a couple of players, limiting Evatt’s options for the upcoming clash and the subsequent fixture against Cheltenham Town a few days later.

The setback has prompted questions about potential activity in the transfer market to address immediate squad needs. While Evatt anticipates making “one or two” signings this month, the timing of their arrival remains uncertain, leaving the Wanderers with a delicate situation to navigate.

Despite these challenges, Evatt expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance against Luton in the Premier League. However, he acknowledges the need for the squad to dig deep for a demanding away trip to Leyton Orient, a team brimming with confidence and currently excelling in the league.

“Leyton Orient is flying and full of confidence. Apart from us, who have played fewer games, they have taken the most points since the turn of the year across the division, so we know what we are in for,” Evatt stated, highlighting the tough task at hand.

Reflecting on the recent cup fixtures against Luton, Evatt believes that the team can draw confidence from their performance and carry it into the League One promotion battle. He emphasized the importance of replicating such performances consistently throughout the season to achieve their ambitions.

Evatt remains optimistic about the team’s potential, stating, “If we can get to that level I saw out there (against Luton), we are going to be a match for anybody.” He praised the players for their effort against Luton, even though they did not secure a victory, and expressed gratitude for gaining new supporters through their impressive display.

In international football news, Gethin Jones is set to feature for the Australia squad in their Asian Cup group game against Syria, while Carlos Mendes Gomes is expected to contribute to Guinea-Bissau’s efforts to revive their African Cup of Nations campaign against Equatorial Guinea. After a loss to Ivory Coast in their opening game, Guinea-Bissau will likely need a win to remain in contention for progression from the group stage, with their final match against Nigeria looming.