Wanderers will be without wing-back Declan John for their trip to Cambridge United this weekend.

Ian Evatt has confirmed that the Welshman has been poorly, which means he will not be considered for the squad heading for the Abbey Stadium.

Will Aimson and Lloyd Isgrove (both hamstrings) are also out until December, while midfielder MJ Williams is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Oxford United in the last league game.

“Will and Izzy are still out,” the manager said. “Declan John is ill, but other than that, I think we’re good to go.”

Holding midfielder Williams has started all but two games in League One for the Whites this season – and could be replaced in the side by George Thomason, who did feature in the FA Cup against Barnsley last weekend.

Evatt admits the former Liverpool man’s absence may be felt in what is likely to be a hard-fought game.

“He’s always a miss because he gives us something slightly different to all the other ones,” he said. “But it gives an opportunity for someone else to come in and stake their claim, so hopefully whoever plays grabs it with both hands.”

Wanderers have not won in the league at Cambridge since 1985, when goals from Roger Walker, George Oghani and Tony Caldwell earned three points under John McGovern.

Bolton did win in the FA Cup at Cambridge under Sam Allardyce at the turn of the millennium, courtesy of goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen and a Bob Taylor double.

But for the current crop, Evatt says Saturday’s game is the perfect opportunity to restore some belief and consistency after a couple of difficult weeks.

“It’s an opportunity to progress in the league campaign,” he said. “I think it is going reasonably well at the moment, so just go and believe in ourselves, play with freedom and hopefully get the result.

“It’s not going to be easy. We know them really well, they’ve been alongside our journey the last couple of years, so we’re looking forward to it.

“I think winning is obviously the most important thing here, but I’ve said many times I believe that if you perform well on a consistent basis then you have a better chance of winning football matches. First and foremost we have to concentrate on our our performance level, get back to the heights of what we were a month or so ago, and win.

“Two back to back away games, which are both difficult in their own right, so we’re looking forward to it.”