PHIL Parkinson will keep faith with Adam Armstrong – insisting the Newcastle United loanee has been a key part of Wanderers’ unbeaten run.

The Whites have used the 20-year-old’s blistering pace in a wide position over the last few weeks but his lack of league goals has prompted calls for a change in some quarters.

Both of Armstrong’s goals since arriving from St James’s Park have arrived in the Carabao Cup, although Parkinson insists his value to the team extends further.

“I think he had five shots against Fulham, he’s had opportunities but you have to keep doing the right things and a goal will come for him,” he told The Bolton News.

“With attacking players if they are not threatening the goal then you get concerned but there was a period in the second half against Fulham where he was like a one-man show. And I think he has worked very, very hard for us in that position.

“Of course he’s frustrated not to have a goal but he’s doing a good job for the team and has helped them go four unbeaten.”

Competition for the wide role could soon come from Will Buckley, who is still feeling his way back to full fitness after calf and hamstring problems.

“Buckley isn’t quite ready to start a game yet but he’s fit enough for the bench,” Parkinson explained. There are games coming up which he’ll need to be involved with to get up to speed because the last thing we want is to get him injured again.

“He’s a player who has got a lot to offer in terms of creativity and athleticism but he’s got to be ready.”

Elsewhere, Wanderers will be without Filipe Morais (stomach) and Adam Le Fondre (calf), while Andy Taylor is likely to be rested after a back problem.

With no fresh injuries after the midweek draw at Sunderland, Parkinson is free to continue the continuity in his squad which he feels has been important during an unbeaten October.

“The understanding between players, the partnerships, only improves when you can keep a side together,” he said.