JACK Iredale may have to play against former club Cambridge United with a protective headband after suffering a gory injury against Charlton Athletic.

The Wanderers defender was caught by a stray elbow from Chuks Aneke which tore his ear significantly, which required the attention of a plastic surgeon and several stitches.

Iredale played on with the injury on Saturday and returned to the training ground quickly to put his name in the frame for Tuesday’s game at the Abbey Stadium.

“I’ve no idea how it happens but there was an incident midway through the second half when he went off, I think the boy Aneke caught him with quite a nasty elbow and literally his ear split in two parts.

“It was severe enough for him to need to see a surgeon. Great credit to Jack, he has brave it, strapped it up, and carried on for the remainder of the game.

“And that was part of the ear that was unprotected by his Australian mullet.

“Potentially he’ll need some type of Terry Butcher style strapping to look after it but he’s a brave lad and he wants to continue.”

The Bolton News: Jack Iredale posted a picture of his ear on InstagramJack Iredale posted a picture of his ear on Instagram (Image: Jack Iredale Instagram)

Ricardo Santos trained once again on Monday morning and will be in contention for a place in the squad for Saturday’s game at Blackpool. Dion Charles is on course to return for the following Tuesday when Wanderers face Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

Randell Williams will also return to training next week after a hamstring injury.

Goalkeeper Nathan Baxter is due to have the cast removed on his injured wrist next week, which will then give medical staff a better idea on his return date.

Wanderers managed just nine minutes of football on their last trip to Cambridge after a post kick-off deluge, and since then have drawn two and won one of their three games.

Promotion pressure increases on a weekly basis but Evatt remains “excited” by the challenge.

“For us, there is almost a third of the season left – and it doesn’t feel like that for us, I know, because we are well into February and the season finishes in April,” he said.

“There are a lot of point to claim. We are doing well and we are in a great position.

“We are disappointed not to have won the game on Saturday but we are still finding a way to pick up results, and it looks like things are getting easier on the injury front, which will make a big difference to us.

“Hopefully we can finish the season with a wet sail and all will be good.”