PHIL Parkinson will bring some of his senior players back into the first team for tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup clash with Rochdale.

Remi Matthews, Jason Lowe and Luke Murphy are likely to be included in the squad after withdrawing from Saturday’s game against Coventry City.

Erhun Oztumer tweaked medial ligaments in his knee before the weekend and could be out of action for a couple of weeks, and Ben Alnwick was also considered a doubt yesterday, through illness.

But after speaking to his remaining senior players yesterday morning the Wanderers boss feels the time is right for them to return to the starting line-up.

“I was absolutely delighted with the way the young players did at the weekend,” he told The Bolton News. “As you’d expect there are a few tired legs and Dennis Politic has also tweaked his hip flexor, so we’re monitoring a few of them.

“What happened last week hit everyone hard. To hear there were doubts about the existence of the club beyond the weekend, the impact on the training ground was huge.

“On top of that the lads had concerns about injuries, and where it would leave them, so I think it was the right call to go with a younger, fresher team – mentally and physically.

“The senior players, those contracted to the club, have been excellent in helping the younger players on the training ground and so we’ve decided to go with a mixture to Rochdale.”

Harry Brockbank, one of Saturday’s heroes, has no qualms about going to the Crown Oil Arena.

“We need to do what we did against Coventry,” he said. “I don’t think anyone would complain if we just run and give everything we can for the club. We will be fine.

“If they turn around and tell us we’re playing at Rochdale, bring it on. We’ll pull the shirt on and enjoy it.”

Brockbank has been shifted from a centre-back to a right-back by development squad boss, David Lee, and Parkinson, and is starting to feel the part.

“I am feeling more comfortable,” he said. “The pace of the game is a lot faster than it is at Under-23 level but the more you play, the more you get used to it.

“Playing full-back is more tiring. The gaffer sees me playing there and if you look at me I’m not the biggest lad, so I think it’s my position now.”

Fans have been asked to buy tickets for tonight’s game in advance, wherever possible.

Rochdale will have cash turnstiles in operation for pay-on-the-night but are hoping to keep queues to a minimum.