WANDERERS hope fans won’t be left frustrated in their efforts to watch Ian Evatt’s first competitive match in charge of the club.

Carabao Cup opponents Bradford City announced yesterday that there would be no opportunity for supporters to stream the September 5 fixture, which will be played behind closed doors at the UniBol.

Bolton had planned to show the game on iFollow and after attending a meeting with the EFL last week were waiting on instruction on how they could go about selling tickets.

The club was last night optimistic a deal could be struck – contrary to a bleak statement from the Bantams which insisted: “No streaming option will be available for the affair whatsoever.”

When approached by The Bolton News, an EFL spokesman said details were currently being worked through and that a final decision would be made within the next few days.

Given the uptake of season tickets at Wanderers since they went on sale at the start of last week, the appetite to see Evatt’s side in action is quite clear.

Fellow League Two side Stevenage advertised an ‘iFollow Match Pass’ would be on sale for their Carabao Cup game against Portsmouth, to be played this Saturday (August 29).

Wanderers will be unable to follow suit until they have been given the all-clear by the league – who are also reported to have agreed a deal with Sky Sports to allow league matches to be streamed online until clubs are granted permission to fill their stadia to 50 per cent of capacity.

Local radio stations BBC Radio Manchester and Bolton FM have announced that they will be airing live commentary from the game – while The Bolton News will also be running its popular Matchday Live blog for the first time since March.

From tomorrow, fans will also be able to visit the club shop at Bolton Central which will open its doors for the first time since lockdown at 9.30am.

The shop will be open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm and on Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm.

Fans can buy tickets and club merchandise but are reminded that all customers will be required to wear a face mask and comply with the social distancing measures in accordance with the latest government guidelines.