Bolton Wanderers boss issues updates on Santos and Dempsey

The Bolton skipper had required help breathing due to a viral infection, which had also been picked up by his child.

Evatt says Santos is feeling “a lot better” and will welcome the centre-back on Friday to do “some sort of physical activity”.

The 27-year-old will also see a private specialist about his lungs following the illness.

“Rico left hospital and was back home on Tuesday,” said Evatt. “He is making some progress. He feels a lot, lot better.

“We are sending him to a private specialist around his breathing and his lungs. I don’t think he still feels 100 per cent back to how he breathing prior to going into hospital.

“We will get more information but the main thing is he is out of hospital, he is on the road to recovery and he will be back in with us to do some sort of physical activity tomorrow.”

Santos was in regular contact with the playing squad during his hospital stay and has also been showered with positive messages from supporters on social media.

“I think it was really important that we rallied around him,” Evatt added. “It is not a nice thing to happen to anybody and especially the captain.

“It came really quickly, it kind of escalated overnight. The main thing is that he is out of hospital.

“The hospital took really great care of him so we are very grateful to the NHS once again for all of their good work and support. Fingers crosses he is now on the road to recovery.”

Evatt also shared a positive update on Kyle Dempsey, who suffered an ankle injury during the first half of the 3-2 win against Barrow in the Papa Johns Trophy.

Wanderers hope to have the midfielder back in training next week, although he is unlikely to feature against Manchester United Under-21s.

“The positive news on that is that Kyle is doing really well and it looks like he’ll be back training next week,” the manager explained.

“He’ll probably not be in time for the Tuesday game but maybe for the Saturday game, which is good news.”