WANDERERS could be without Amadou Bakayoko for several weeks after scans on a calf injury showed up more damage than was first feared.

Ian Evatt has confirmed that the former Coventry City striker faces a longer lay-off than expected after tearing the base of his calf muscle during the 1-0 win at Lincoln City on Tuesday night.

Bakayoko was taken out of the team for Saturday’s win against Oxford United but it had been hoped he could feature against Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Evatt said he would be without Bakayoko for the whole of September.

“It’s not good news to be honest, and this is the harsh realities of football really. Normally when players feel like they’re okay, it can mean two things,” he said.

“One, they are okay, or two, the tear is significant enough that it’s not causing them pain. The worser the tear sometimes the less painful it is, and we’re unfortunate that he’s got a bit of a split tear of his soleus and Achilles, so he’s going to be six weeks.”

Bakayoko’s absence could now ramp up the importance of bringing in another attacking player before the close of the transfer window a week on Tuesday.

Evatt had already indicated that he would be open to new signings, if the right person became available, but with Elias Kachunga still feeling his way to full fitness and Xavier Amaechi sidelined for at least another couple of months with a fractured metatarsal, the Bolton boss could now look to the loan market.

Eoin Doyle remains Bolton’s only out-and-out central attacker, although Kachunga and Nathan Delfouneso are also able to cover.