IAN Evatt is happy to see Irish eyes are smiling in the Wanderers camp.

Dion Charles and Eoin Toal have returned from international duty in good mood after a 2-0 win against Denmark in Belfast earlier in the week.

Charles scored his third international goal and Toal secured his first clean sheet on his third appearance for Northern Ireland as they rounded off an often-difficult Euro 2024 qualifying group in style.

“I am really pleased Dion is that happy because he can be miserable sometimes,” joked Evatt, who welcomes the pair back into his squad for tomorrow afternoon’s visit of Exeter City.

“Toally just takes it all in his stride, you rarely see any difference in him.

“The way they play is completely different to the way we do, so the games are completely different, but it was an outstanding result against Denmark and I am delighted for them both.

“I am delighted for Northern Ireland, too, because they have ended a sticky patch of results.

“The players are full of confidence and looking forward to Saturday.”

Charles has 12 goals for club and country this season and is now aiming to become the first Bolton player since John McGinlay to score 20 in consecutive campaigns.

He has personally targeted 15 before Christmas and to join an exclusive club of Bolton players who have scored 50 times for the club by the end of the season.

Evatt believes the striker’s varied career path, which had included long spells in non-league football before his arrival at Accrington in 2019, means he is still capable of pushing himself much further.

“He is still improving,” said the Bolton boss. “We spoke before the break, there is more to come from him.

“His hold-up and build-up play can still improve. We know he is a real threat in the box, his goal-scoring record is outstanding, his work ethic out of possession is outstanding too.

“But because of his journey and the way he has dipped out into non-league, he is a late developer. There is more to come from him, which is great. Scoring against Denmark against someone like (Andreas) Christiansen at Barcelona is great for his confidence and hopefully we see the benefit of that in the coming months.”