WANDERERS should have Gethin Jones back in action for Saturday’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday, Ian Evatt has confirmed.

The full-back had to be substituted at half time against Shrewsbury Town after a collision left him with a dead leg.

He will not feature against Liverpool’s Under-21s – with Harry Brockbank set to replace him on the right side of defence – but the Bolton boss is confident the problem will be quickly cleared.

“It’s just a dead leg. It was a bit of a freak incident, really,” he said.

“They had spoken about the way we play, our combinations with full-backs and wide players, the pass and follows, the one-twos, and it was their tactic to try and block that.

“Gethin got kneed in possibly the worst area on his thigh – his IT (iliotibial) band – so it was a nasty one but he will be OK for Saturday, he just needs a few day’s rest.”

Wanderers only have Liam Edwards and Xavier Amaechi left in the treatment room, which gives Evatt plenty of options to consider in the Papa John’s Trophy.

He is expected to make several changes but retain an experienced XI against Liverpool’s Under-21s, who were beaten 4-0 by Rochdale in their opening group game.

Amadou Bakayoko returned against Shrewsbury and has had no after-effects following several weeks out of action with a calf injury. And with nearly a full squad to pick from, Evatt is taking nothing for granted.

“I would have liked him a month earlier but it is good we are getting people back and people are making progress but we have to remember this is football and this can change really quickly.

“We could lose someone today, tomorrow, and we have to be ready for that.

“We won’t be resting on our laurels – we’ll adapt and overcome – and we did that last month but now luckily for us we are getting people back.”


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