WANDERERS boss Ian Evatt has confirmed Declan John is unlikely to feature against Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

The Welshman missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Wigan after suffering a back injury, with Kieran Sadlier filling in at wing-back in his absence.

Evatt also revealed that Kyle Dempsey and Dapo Afolayan are both carrying knocks and will be assessed before the game.

“Kyle Dempsey had a bit of a knock, Dapo has a bit of a knock,” said the Bolton boss.

“But other than that, I think we are okay. We will have to look at those two for tomorrow.

Evatt also gave an update on Kieran Lee, who has been out of action since February after having surgery to treat a bone spur on his heel.

The Bolton chief admits Lee is unlikely to play a part in the Whites’ upcoming matches against Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday.

He added: “I think Kieran is probably going to be another week or so after (Sheffield Wednesday).

“We don’t really want to rush him, and his heel around where the incision was made is still quite sore when he puts his boot on.

“It is going to take a little bit longer. We have had it scanned this week and there is nothing sinister going on.

“It is healing really well, it is just a time thing. We just have to be a little bit more patient with him and give him a bit more time.

“That is kind of where we are at now, just to make sure that when we are rehabilitating these players, they are given the time they need to come back a hundred per cent. There is no real need to be taking chances with anybody.”

Josh Sheehan also posted a video on social media revealing he is back running on grass four months on from having surgery to repair an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The midfielder has not featured since suffering the injury against Stockport in the FA Cup back in November.

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