WANDERERS make the long trip to Brighton today with mixed injury news in defence.

Whites boss Dougie Freedman is boosted by the return of Dean Moxey at left-back but Kevin McNaughton is set to miss out after limping out of Tuesday’s defeat to Middlesbrough late on with a hamstring strain.

Freedman confirmed it is not a serious injury but does not want to risk his fellow Scot.

And his place is likely to be filled by Whites youth graduate Oscar Threlkeld who impressed in that position at the end of last season.

Freedman told The Bolton News: “Kevin is struggling but the good thing is that Dean Moxey is back for us.

“Kevin will definitely miss out but it gives someone else a chance in that position.

“It is only a small couple of fibres and a tweak but this game is too soon just a couple of days after he picked the injury up so I just can’t risk it because you may end up losing him for a couple of weeks.”

While Threlkeld is favourite to step in, fellow youngster Hayden White is also in contention.

And Freedman says he would be comfortable putting either into his starting XI at the Amex Stadium.

He added: “Both Oscar and Hayden are very capable young players and can step in for us.

“Maybe they couldn’t do a season long in the side at present but they can certainly step in and do a job.

“You can’t base too much on the end of last season because teams are not playing full at it and there is not a lot on it.

“But I can judge through pre-season that the two of them have shown strength and an ability to play in different formations.

“It is a decision for me who to pick and what formation to play.”