Wanderers could strengthen their position in the League One promotion race when they head to Carlisle.

Ian Evatt’s men have won five out of their last six league games following Tuesday night’s 1-0 victory against Cheltenham thanks to Victor Adeboyejo’s first-half strike.

The Whites are only two points behind leaders Portsmouth despite having played two games fewer at this stage.

Team news

Randell Williams faces six to seven weeks out of action with a grade two hamstring tear sustained against the Robins. Will Forrester is also out of action with a similar injury.

Kyle Dempsey pulled up in the final stages on Tuesday night but has not picked up anything serious, which is a relief with George Thomason suspended for the next couple of league matches.

Carlos Mendes Gomes has returned from representing Guinea-Bissau at the African Cup of Nations, but Gethin Jones is still away with the Australia squad after making the knockout stage of the Asian Cup.

George Johnston and Dan Nlundulu are both long-term absentees with knee and hamstring issues respectively.

Opposition lowdown

Carlisle find themselves 23rd in the table as they aim to build on last season’s promotion from the fourth tier.

Paul Simpson’s side were beaten 2-1 by Barnsley at Oakwell in their last outing despite taking an early lead through Luke Armstrong.

The Cumbrians were due to face Cheltenham last weekend but that fixture was postponed due to the weather conditions.

Head-to-head

Wanderers have faced Carlisle 30 times in their history, with a record of 11 wins, seven draws and 12 defeats.

Simpson’s men ran out 3-1 winners at the Toughsheet Community Stadium thanks to Jordan Gibson’s hat trick. Nathan Baxter had also denied Joe Garner from the penalty spot.

The points were shared when Bolton last headed to Brunton Park in December 2020 following a thrilling 3-3 draw. Thomason, Nathan Delfouneso and Peter Kioso were all on target for the Whites that day.

Predicted line-up

The Bolton News: