DION Charles’s involvement in Saturday’s game against Peterborough United is still “up in the air” says Ian Evatt.

The Bolton boss revealed that he will not make a decision on whether to play his top scorer – who picked up a shoulder injury in Saturday’s defeat at Reading – until the last possible moment.

Charles has scored six goals this season but has damaged ligaments in his shoulder after falling heavily under a challenge at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

“It has been a rough week in terms of injuries, we have been hammered, in fact,” he said. “I don’t believe any squad of players in this division could cope with the amount of injuries we have had, and there have been more in the last few days.

“Dion is very much up in the air. We know the joint isn’t damaged, which is probably the most positive bit of news, but we know there is damage to the ligaments that hold the joint in place.

“The result of the scan was positive but there is still pain, there is still damage.

“We will have to take that right up to Saturday but it is a big call and it has definitely been a rough spell. I do, however, believe that we have a strong squad and if Dion is not available there is a massive opportunity for someone else to step up to the plate.”

With George Johnston, Joel Coleman, Carlos Mendes Gomes and Paris Maghoma out injured and Eoin Toal suspended, Wanderers’ only boost this week has been the return of Zac Ashworth from a minor muscular problem picked up on international duty with Wales Under-21s.

Other players may also be absent for the visit of Posh, who start the day level on points with Wanderers, having played a game more.

“We have picked up more injuries – ones we didn’t know about after the match on Saturday and in the last few days – but I don’t think it would be beneficial for anyone other than Peterborough to discuss them right now,” Evatt said.

“For us it is just about picking a team and preparing it as best we can but I firmly believe whatever team goes out there will be strong enough to win the game.”